Pope John Paul today branded terrorism "ferocious inhumanity" but also urged changes in situations of injustice that spurred desire for revenge.
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The 82-year-old pontiff spoke on what he called "this very sad anniversary" at a special general audience dedicated to commemorating the victims of the September 11th attacks. The service included mourning music and a peace prayer.
"Terrorism is and always will be a manifestation of ferocious inhumanity, and because it is, it never will resolve conflicts between human beings," he told some 10,000 people in the Vatican's vast auditorium.
"Violence can only lead to further hatred and destruction."
But he called for changes in "scandalous situations of injustice and oppression, which continue to afflict so many members of the human family, creating conditions that are favourable to the uncontrolled explosion of the thirst for vendetta."
After his address, special prayers were read in several languages, including Arabic, for the victims of the attacks and for peace among religions.
The prayer read in Arabic asked believers of all religions to "firmly reject every form of violence and commit themselves to resolving conflicts with sincere and patient dialogue" while respecting different histories, cultures and religions.
Speaking in a sombre voice in his address, the pope said injustices had to be tackled via urgent and resolute political and economic actions.
He said that when fundamental rights were violated in oppressive situations, "it is easy to fall prey to the temptation of hate and violence".
But one year on, the pontiff said it was not enough to commemorate the victims and pray for their families. "We also want to interrogate the consciences of those who planned and carried out such a barbarous and cruel action," he said.
"One year after September 11th, 2001, we repeat that no situation of injustice, no feeling of frustration, no philosophy or religion can justify such an aberration."
"On this very sad anniversary, we raise to God our prayer so that love may be able to take the place of hate, and, with the help of all people of good will, that concord and solidarity may take root in every corner of the earth," he said.