25th Anniversary of 9/11: Religious Leaders Call for National Renewal of Faith and Peace

Key points

• Rev. Franklin Graham, president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, urges Americans to 'turn back' to God, citing a surge in church attendance and public prayer following the 2001 attacks.
• Graham’s new 30-minute special, 'A Day That Changed Our Lives Forever,' features survivor Genelle Guzman-McMillan, who spent 27 hours under World Trade Center rubble, and Sujo John, whose wife survived despite being minutes late for work.
• Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued a statement calling for Catholics to be 'instruments of peace' amid global conflicts, referencing Pope Leo XIV’s message on peace.
• Catholic Review highlights the role of Archdiocese of Baltimore priests, including Bishop F. Richard Spencer and the late Father Thomas Gills, who served as chaplains at the Pentagon and in overseas war zones after 9/11.
• The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team, formed after 9/11, has expanded into an international network of crisis-trained chaplains providing spiritual support during disasters.

Background

This anniversary follows earlier coverage noting President Trump’s decision to deliver remarks at the Pentagon rather than attending the Ground Zero ceremony in New York, where Vice President JD Vance is expected to participate. The 25th anniversary marks a quarter-century since the attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people, a period during which religious institutions have increasingly framed national resilience through spiritual lenses.

How outlets are covering it

Fox News emphasizes Franklin Graham’s call for a national return to faith, highlighting personal survivor stories and the growth of the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team. Catholic Review focuses on the practical ministry of Catholic chaplains, detailing the immediate response of Baltimore-based priests to the Pentagon and military needs. The USCCB, through Archbishop Coakley, frames the anniversary as a call for global peace and spiritual unity, aligning with Pope Leo XIV’s teachings. While Fox News centers on evangelical revival, Catholic sources stress pastoral care and peacebuilding, reflecting different theological emphases on the same historical event.

Why it matters

The 25th anniversary of 9/11 serves as a focal point for discussions on national identity, resilience, and the role of religion in public life. As the U.S. faces ongoing global conflicts and domestic divisions, religious leaders are leveraging this milestone to promote unity, healing, and spiritual renewal, influencing how the nation commemorates tragedy and envisions its future.

What to watch

Expect continued media coverage of 9/11 anniversary events, including Franklin Graham’s special airing on Fox News Channel and Catholic commemorative Masses. The USCCB may issue further guidance on peace initiatives, while survivor stories and chaplaincy efforts will likely remain central to religious discourse in the coming weeks.