Before bidding the faithful farewell at today’s general audience in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope said in English: «I also greet the delegation from the Port Authority Police Department of New York and New Jersey, who honor their fellow officers who gave their lives in last year’s terrorist attack on New York City.»
The New York police delegation gave the Pope a cross made of metal from the rubble at Ground Zero. Thirty-eight Port Authority police personnel were among those killed in the Sept. 11 attack on the twin towers.