25th Anniversary of September 11 Attacks Marked by Pope and West Virginia Governor

Two commemorations marked the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Pope Leo, who was born in Chicago, delivered public remarks addressing the anniversary, calling for a renewed commitment to peace. He spoke in English at the conclusion of his traditional Sunday noon blessing, marking his first public comments on the milestone. Separately, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey delivered remarks at a remembrance ceremony held at the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services Division in Clarksburg, West Virginia, on September 11. In conjunction with the West Virginia ceremony, Morrisey ordered that flags be flown at half-staff statewide to mark the occasion. The two events occurred independently of one another, reflecting commemorations at different levels—one from the Vatican and one from a U.S. state government—on the same anniversary date. No further details were provided regarding the full content of either set of remarks, the size or composition of attendees at either event, or any additional actions taken beyond the flag order in West Virginia. The reports do not indicate any coordination between the two commemorations, and each stands as a distinct, independently reported event tied to the same anniversary.