President Barack Obama has spoken at the interfaith "Healing Our City" service honoring the victims of Monday's Boston Marathon bombing.

"Scripture tells us to run with endurance the race that is set before us," he said inside the city's Cathedral of the Holy Cross.

"As we do, may God hold close those who have been taken from us too soon. May he comfort families and continue to watch over these United States of America," he continued.

"Every one of us has been touched by this attack on this beloved city. It is our beloved city too," he said.

He also called the bombers "small, stunted individuals."

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino addressed the crowd early in the service and later, cellist Yo-Yo Ma performed.

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick sat next to First Lady Michelle Obama.

Other invited guests included victims' families, first responders, and Boston Athletic Association volunteers.

In total, 2,000 others attended.

The general public filled half the seats on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Three people died and more than 170 received injuries when a pair of bombs exploded near the race's finish line.

Investigators have an image of the suspected bomber, but they have not said that they know much else.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Obama plans to meet with some victims and first responders while in Boston.

The Massachusetts congressional delegation, including Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Mo Cowan, went with the President.

Recently, President Obama addressed the nation after the massacre of 20 first-graders and six educators in Newtown, Conn.

Before that, he spoke about the deadly shootings in Aurora, Colo., Tucson, Ariz., and Fort Hood, Texas.

"As you begin this long journey of recovery, your city, your commonwealth, your country is with you as we learn to stand and walk and, yes, run again. Of this,  I have no doubt. You will run again. You will run again," Obama said to applause and standing ovations.

"It should be pretty clear by now that they picked the wrong city to do it. Not here in Boston. Not here in Boston," he continued.

"We finish the race. We do that because of who we are and we do that because we know that somewhere around the bend a stranger has a cup of water, around the bend somebody is there to boost our spirits. We know that."