Obama to Boston bombing victims: 'You will run again'

President Barack Obama delivered a moving speech of remembrance and resilience in Boston on Thursday honoring the victims of Monday's bombings at the Boston Marathon.

"We may be momentarily knocked of our feet," the president said, "But we will pick ourselves up. We will finish the race."

"Even when our heart aches, we summon the strength that we didn't even know we had and we finish the race," he said to thunderous applause at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston's South End.

He promised that the Boston Marathon would take place again next year, "This time next year, on the 3rd Monday in April, the world will return to this great American city...for the 118th Boston Marathon. To run harder than ever, to cheer louder. Bet on it."

He told the victims of the bombings, "We will be with you as you learn to stand and walk and, yes, run. I have no doubt, you will run again. You will run again."

Obama recalled his own time spent in Boston as a student, saying the city had welcomed him and Michelle Obama, like thousands of other students from near and far. "For millions of us, what happened on Monday is personal. It's personal."

"There's a piece of Boston in me.... You welcomed me... you welcomed Michelle too." - Obama glpo.st/17rGGMT twitter.com/priyankaboghan…

— Priyanka Boghani (@priyankaboghani) April 18, 2013

He named and honored each of the people killed in the blasts. "Our hearts are broken for 8-year-old Martin with his big smile and bright eyes," he said.

Obama spoke to the perpetrators of the attack, saying, "Yes, we will find you. And yes, you will face justice. We will find you. We will hold you accountable."

Obama was preceded by Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick who emphasized the importance of maintain the state's civic faith. "We will have accountability without vengeance. Vigilance without fear."

Religious leaders from all across the city addressed the audience, from Nasser Wedaddy of the American Islamic Congress and Metropolitan Methodios of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston, to Rev. Liz Walker of the Roxbury Presbyterian Church and Cardinal Sean O'Malley.

Hundreds gathered at and around the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston's South End long before the service, while uniformed police officers formed security lines around the church, said Reuters.

People lined up as early as 5am for interfaith service remembering victims of the Boston Marathon bombings: twitter.com/WBUR/status/32…

— WBUR (@WBUR) April 18, 2013

Also present will be Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick. Cardinal Sean O'Malley will also speak at the service.

Here's the program for today's interfaith service in Boston, which will begin in half an hour. twitter.com/FenwayKenPatch…

— Fenway-Kenmore Patch (@FenwayKenPatch) April 18, 2013

White House spokesman Jay Carney said on Wednesday that Obama's message will be one of resolve.

"It will be one of the commonality that we all feel as Americans with the people of Boston and those who were visiting Boston for the marathon, and who both endured this horrific event and then demonstrated their bravery in its immediate aftermath," said Carney.

Meanwhile, a manhunt for a suspect spotted on video surveillance continues.