Pope Francis leads interdenominational prayer at 9/11 memorial

Moving ceremony featured an address by Pope Francis and prayers from several major religions.

Pope Francis attended a multi-denominational service in New York at the World Trade Center Memorial.

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK (Catholic Online) - Presenters wearing colorful, traditional dress, native to each faith, offered prayers in their native tongues and in English to the assembled audience. Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, and Sikh, Orthodox and Protestant faiths were represented. Pope Francis represented the Catholic faith and he read a special prayer in English asking God to bring peace and healing to all.

The speakers condemned violence done in the name of religion and called for peace between all people.

Following the prayers and a song offered by a Jewish rabbi.

Pope Francis asked the audience to excuse him for not speaking English then addressed the audience in Italian. Speaking of the memorial, he explained that the falling waters symbolize the tears and sorrow caused by acts of violence and revenge. The only way to prevent such acts is to dialogue, Pope Francis explained. These tears are caused "because we could not find solutions for the common good."

"Destruction is never impersonal, it is not abstract. Destruction has a face and a history. It is specific, it has names." Pope Francis talked about how the families have pain that "cries to heaven" because of violence.

The Holy Father praised the sacrifices of the first responders, and reminded that life and good will always triumph over hate and division.