NEW YORK - In one of his final scheduled events in America, Pope Benedict XVI visited and blessed the World Trade Center site in Lower Manhattan, the site of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. There, he also met family members of victims of the attacks.

Benedict was driven about half-way into the site on the Popemobile down the construction ramp and walked the remainder of the distance. Upon arriving at the stage, he knelt in prayer and then rose to light a candle in memoriam of the victims.

The Pontiff also referred to the victims of the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania in his prayers. In total, 2,900 people perished in the four hijacked planes on that September Tuesday.

There were 24 people especially selected with close ties to Ground Zero including victims' family members, survivors and rescue workers. He greeted each of these people individually in the ceremony.

Alongside the Pope was New York Cardinal Edward Egan, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, New York Governor David Paterson and New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine. The physical land at this site in Lower Manhattan is owned by the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey.

Pope Benedict XVI will wrap up his first United States visit in a service to be held at Yankee Stadium in front of thousands later this afternoon. He will depart back to Vatican City from JFK International Airport this evening.