Here is a transcript of Pope Benedict's prayer from Ground Zero in New York City, the site of the 2001 terror attacks.
Noticeably absent are these sentiments that I've heard from Christians in the intervening years since September 11th: "Kill, kill, kill"..."Let's bomb their country and turn it into a parking lot"..."Let God sort them out."
"We ask you in your goodness to give eternal light and peace to all who died here -- the heroic first-responders: our fire fighters, police officers, emergency service workers, and Port Authority personnel, along with all the innocent men and women who were victims of this tragedy simply because their work or service brought them here on September 11, 2001.
"We ask you, in your compassion to bring healing to those who, because of their presence here that day, suffer from injuries and illness.
"Heal, too, the pain of still-grieving families and all who lost loved ones in this tragedy. Give them strength to continue their lives with courage and hope. We are mindful as well of those who suffered death, injury, and loss on the same day at the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
"Our hearts are one with theirs as our prayer embraces their pain and suffering. God of peace, bring your peace to our violent world: peace in the hearts of all men and women and peace among the nations of the earth.
"Turn to your way of love those whose hearts and minds are consumed with hatred. God of understanding, overwhelmed by the magnitude of this tragedy, we seek your light and guidance as we confront such terrible events.
"Grant that those whose lives were spared may live so that the lives lost here may not have been lost in vain. Comfort and console us, strengthen us in hope, and give us the wisdom and courage to work tirelessly for a world where true peace and love reign among nations and in the hearts of all."
Semi-random ramblings from the ethereal edge of...ahh forget it.
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