In 2002, at the very beginning of the war in Afghanistan, St. John Paul II appealed for peace throughout the world.
He spoke out against terrorism, urging nations to find a peaceful resolution.
He also prayed for victims of terrorism and for the conversion of terrorists, that they may see the evil of their ways.
Here is the prayer he prayed, that we can adapt to our own needs, interceding for all victims, as well as praying that terrorists may turn their hearts to God.
[M]ay a more intense prayer rise from the hearts of all believers for the victims of terrorism, for their families so tragically stricken, for all the peoples who continue to be hurt and convulsed by terrorism and war. May the light of our prayer extend even to those who gravely offend God and man by these pitiless acts, that they may look into their hearts, see the evil of what they do, abandon all violent intentions, and seek forgiveness. In these troubled times, may the whole human family find true and lasting peace, born of the marriage of justice and mercy!
And today we celebrate...