Pope Francis will meet with about 50,000 altar servers from all over Europe—mainly from Germany, on July 30 in St. Peter’s Square.
Each summer, schedule permitting, the Pope typically devotes part of his time to this group of young people. For example, this was how the meeting with French altar servers went in 2022.
“You have chosen to be ministers, and I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the efforts,” Pope Francis said. “Sometimes the sacrifices that you accept in order to devote yourselves to this commitment as ministers, while many of your other friends prefer to sleep in on Sunday mornings or play sports. Don’t be ashamed to serve the Altar, even if you are alone, even if you are growing up. It is an honor to serve Jesus when he gives his life for us in the Eucharist.”