Mini-Pilgrimage in Rome: Excitement is everywhere

She got to be very close to Pope Francis: 13-year-old Julia Wörmetz from the Munich-Freising diocese rode with Francis in the Popemobile through St. Peter's Square on Tuesday evening. “I was amazed when the Pope greeted me in the Popemobile. It seemed like three minutes, but in fact we were on the road for almost half an hour,” the teenager told Vatican Radio on the sidelines of the final press conference of the day.

“I am happy that the Pope made extra time for us, it is a great sign of appreciation. The most wonderful moment was the last selfie with Pope Francis,” added the altar boy. 17-year-old Mia Rothermel from the Augsburg diocese was able to present the Pope with the pilgrimage scarf: “We laughed a lot these days, we felt the experience. It was a festival of joy.” Young altar boy Philipp Bader from the Augsburg diocese was also enthusiastic: “The audience seemed like a big, beautiful dream to me. The next day, I asked myself if I was awake yet. I had to pinch myself several times.”

Young man at press conference. Interviewed by: Romano Pelosi

sense of community and togetherness

“It is impressive that so many young people have made their way to the Eternal City to celebrate their faith together,” said Cardinal Holrich S.J., looking back at the past few days at the press conference. “The sense of community and the encounter with the Holy Father have strengthened them in their ministry, and I am sure they will take their enthusiasm with them to their local communities,” agreed the president of the International Association of Altar Servers (CIM) with the young people.

Only 70,000 young people were present for the special audience with Pope Francis, the cardinal said. Altar servers could be seen in every corner of the city, exchanging pilgrimage banners and exploring the city. The pilgrimage week was also an opportunity to make friends. It was particularly important for young people to exchange ideas – both nationally and internationally, says Hollerich: “They were able to experience that faith is universal.”

Live for your faith – even in times of crisis.

At the press conference, Auxiliary Bishop Johannes Woebe described the pilgrimage as a “great celebration of faith”. The stay in Rome showed young people that “despite all the crises, it is worth living for the faith”. For him, the young participants were characterised by joy, solidarity and interest in exchanging thoughts about God and the world. “For me, it is really a sign of hope for our Church”, explained the chairman of the Youth Commission of the German Bishops’ Conference, who is “fully convinced that Pope Francis was completely impressed by what he is building”. For the young generation of the Church, we have been able to feel this coming back to life these days.

Be the hope and the future together

CIM Secretary General Tobias Knell was also impressed by the altar boys and girls. “The young people travelled to Rome from around 20 countries – and despite their differences, they were united by a common commitment to their faith. It was impossible to miss the fact that so many young people were passionate about their faith in front of the crowd in St. Peter’s Square,” he said, referring to the “highlight” of the pilgrimage – the meeting with the Pope.

The mission of the Church is to “accompany, encourage and strengthen” the altar boys. Through the various performances during the pilgrimage season, the aim was to show: “Every person matters, and together we are our hope and our future.” The discussion format “Ask the Bishop”, in which several bishops answered the questions of the young altar boys, was met with great interest.

More than 50,000 altar boys from about 20 countries

Under the theme “With You” (Isaiah 41:10), the 13th celebration was attended by more than 50,000 altar boys from some 20 countries. The international altar boy came together. In addition to the private audience with the Pope, which took place on Tuesday evening, there are catechesis, church services, guided tours, excursions and meetings on the program until August 2.

About 35,000 altar boys and girls arrived from Germany. Other participants came from France, Croatia, Lithuania, Hungary and Ukraine.

(Vatican News / Evening – RB / PR)