Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has praised the ministry of altar servers as a vital witness in the life of the Church, reminding young Catholics from France that their reverent service at the altar draws the faithful more deeply into the sacred mystery of the Mass.
The Pope was addressing some 360 French altar servers who traveled to Rome with their bishops and priests on a Jubilee Year pilgrimage. Greeting them on Monday, he described their journey through the Holy Doors as a moment of grace, inviting them to turn their hearts toward God with renewed faith, hope, and love.
“Take time to speak with Jesus in the silence of your hearts,” the Pope urged, “for He desires nothing more than to be your closest and most faithful friend. Life becomes truly beautiful and joyful when lived with Him.”
Reflecting on the Jubilee theme of hope, Pope Leo said that Christians must hold firmly to this theological virtue, especially in an age marked by suffering, uncertainty, and global unrest. Hope, he stressed, is the anchor that steadies believers in times of trial.
“There is proof of Jesus’ love for us He laid down His life on the Cross,” he said. “This is the greatest love, and it assures us that we are never abandoned.”
Pope Leo underlined that the Church hands down this memory of Christ’s sacrifice through the Eucharist, which altar servers help to celebrate with dignity. He reminded them that the Mass is not merely an obligation but the living encounter where God offers His very life to His people.
“The celebration of the Mass saves us today it saves the world today,” the Pope declared. “It is the most important event for every Christian and for the Church as a whole.”
The Pope expressed gratitude to the young servers for their generosity, urging them to embrace the sacredness of their ministry. Their silence, gestures, and devotion, he noted, are not only acts of service but also powerful signs that guide the faithful into God’s presence.
“May your dignity at the altar lead the people into the sacred greatness of the Mystery,” he said.
Acknowledging the serious shortage of priests in France, Pope Leo described it as a “great misfortune” for the Church. He encouraged the young people to discern vocations to the priesthood and religious life, reminding them that their service may be the first step toward a deeper call.
In closing, Pope Leo told the altar servers that their joy in serving at the altar can itself be a testimony of faith, a quiet yet powerful sign of hope in a world often in search of meaning.