Hundreds of French altar servers filled the Vatican on Monday as Pope Leo XIV welcomed them during their Jubilee pilgrimage to Rome. Around 360 young people, accompanied by their priests and bishops, listened as the Holy Father spoke about friendship with Christ, the gift of hope, and the greatness of their liturgical service.
At the heart of his message was the Eucharist. Pope Leo reminded the servers that their ministry at the altar is no small role, for it is tied directly to the Church’s central act of worship. “Dear Altar Servers, the celebration of the Mass saves us today! It saves the world today! It is the most important event in the life of the Christian and in the life of the Church, for it is the encounter where God gives Himself to us in love, again and again.” He encouraged them to serve with reverence, attentiveness, and dignity, explaining that their silence, gestures, and attitude should draw the faithful into the sacred mystery.
The Pope then turned to the theme of the Jubilee Year: hope. In a world weighed down by conflict, suffering, and uncertainty, he said, Christians can never lose sight of this virtue. “There is certain proof that Jesus loves us and saves us: He gave His life for us by offering it on the cross. In fact, there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for those one loves.” For Pope Leo, hope is not a sentiment but a secure anchor that carries believers through storms, sorrows, and trials.
Speaking directly to the young pilgrims, he urged them to look to Jesus in moments of difficulty, assuring them that He is always near. “He desires nothing more than to be part of your life, to illumine it from within, to become your best and most faithful friend. Life becomes beautiful and joyful with Jesus.” By walking through the Holy Doors in Rome, the Pope said, they were not simply taking part in a ritual, but stepping more deeply into a life with Christ who calls them to grow in faith and love.
The Holy Father reflected further on the mystery of God’s love. “The most wonderful thing about the Catholic faith,” he said, “is that God Himself willed to suffer and die for the creatures we are. God loved us to the point of dying for us!” Because of this, humanity has nothing to fear from Him. Instead, He continuously offers His imperishable life, handed down through the Eucharist and renewed daily in the Mass.
Pope Leo also spoke about vocations, acknowledging the shortage of priests in France as a great misfortune for both the nation and the Church. He invited the young servers to listen carefully to God’s call, whether to priesthood, religious life, or faithful service in their parishes, always remembering that their altar service is already a sign of dedication and hope.
In his conclusion, Pope Leo thanked the servers for their generous witness. Their ministry at the altar, he said, is not only a duty but a gift to the Church, and by persevering in it, they shine forth as witnesses to the joy that comes from loving and serving Christ.