The Pope's Blessing at Ground Zero in New York

After Pope Benedict XVI prayed silently at Ground Zero (picture above), he prayed this prayer:

O God of love, compassion, and healing,look on us, people of many different faiths and traditions,who gather today at this site,the scene of incredible violence and pain.

We ask you in your goodnessto give eternal light and peaceto 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 womenwho were victims of this tragedysimply because their work or servicebrought them here on September 11, 2001.

We ask you, in your compassionto bring healing to thosewho, because of their presence here that day,suffer from injuries and illness.Heal, too, the pain of still-grieving familiesand all who lost loved ones in this tragedy.Give them strength to continue their lives with courage and hope.

We are mindful as wellof those who suffered death, injury, and losson the same day at the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.Our hearts are one with theirsas 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 womenand peace among the nations of the earth.Turn to your way of lovethose whose hearts and mindsare consumed with hatred.

God of understanding,overwhelmed by the magnitude of this tragedy,we seek your light and guidanceas we confront such terrible events.Grant that those whose lives were sparedmay live so that the lives lost heremay not have been lost in vain.

Comfort and console us,strengthen us in hope,and give us the wisdom and courageto work tirelessly for a worldwhere true peace and love reignamong nations and in the hearts of all.