Much of Catholic America is excited about Pope Francis’ first visit to the United States – and so are many American Muslims.
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Meeting those families, Francis said, “made me see once again how acts of destruction are never impersonal, abstract or merely material”. “The pope realized the pain this place has caused in our country and the memories we have of 9/11”.
Earlier, in a Prayer for Remembrance, he talked about “the unspeakable violence” that occurred at Ground Zero, but also of “the need to work tirelessly for a world where true peace and love reign among nations and in the hearts of all”.
He and Cardinal Timothy Michael Dolan, archbishop of New York, placed two white roses on the granite slate of victims’ names.
The pope spoke to a group of 9/11 families and responders, before he was to descend into the memorial. His brother Stephen was a firefighter with New York City Fire Department Squad One and responded to 9/11 by running through the Brooklyn Battery tunnel in his full 60-pound turnout gear.
Francis said the selfish pursuit of power and wealth is hurting the environment and the poor. I am just pointing out the simple fact that it is not so easy for the Republican establishment to square supporting policies that have disproportionately aided the most wealthy while attacking a social safety net for those who have less, while portraying themselves as defenders of Christian ideals. Was the whole thing orchestrated in order to set up the spectacle we saw this week? The service was a unique event consisting of an address from the pontiff, as well as prayers and meditations from various religious traditions in different languages.
At times we underestimate the power that love has.
“Intolerance and ignorance fueled those who attacked this place”, Latif said. The water we see flowing towards that empty pit reminds us of all those lives which fell prey to those who think that destruction, tearing down, is the only way to settle conflicts.
The Pope’s prayerful visit, Imam Sayyid M. Syeed told Religion News Service: “Is even more important for Muslims than it is for Catholics”. Bishop William Murphy of the Diocese of Rockville Centre also was in attendance.
Pope Francis visits the 9/11 Museum, on September 25.
Following the pope’s remarks, the Young People’s Chorus of New York City sang “Let There be Peace on Earth”, with some of the lyrics changed to be inclusive. After, he headed downstairs into the museum for an interfaith service. At about 1 p.m. he had returned to Papal Nuncio’s residence.
His predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, prayed during a ceremony in April 2008 at Ground Zero before the Memorial & Museum opened.
His aunt Anna Forentino, 70, of Malvern, brought a photo of Charles standing arm-in-arm with her son Christopher, who’s battling non-Hodgkins lymphoma. “I was afraid of my own emotions”. She had just turned 30 and had a 2-year-old daughter when she was killed on September 11.
Their son, Christopher Florentino, 44, has cancer that is in remission, they said.
Wilfred Tyrrell, a Brentwood native and a member of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement in upstate Graymoor, said after the service he was touched by the pope’s message.
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The flowers, she said, symbolize the Catholic Church – and hope. Stephen later died in the collapse of the towers. McTyre is a big Pope Francis fan and said it was “about time” for an accepting pope like Francis. “I’m a very devout Catholic and I believe that he would pray for Tim’s soul and give his blessings”.
