"Serve Jesus generously in the Eucharist. It 's an important task, which allows you to be particularly close to the Lord and to grow as his true friends." This was Pope Benedict's message this morning to 55 thousand altar servers from across Europe, who are in Rome for their international pilgrimage, and were protagonists of the general audience in St. Peter's Square.

Pope Benedict XVI thanked tens of thousands of young altar servers for their important service to the church and urged them to "jealously safeguard" their friendship with Jesus.

"Tell your peers about the gift of this friendship with joy, with enthusiasm and without fear," he said.

The pope was flown to the Vatican by helicopter Aug. 4 to give his first general audience since beginning his summer vacation July 7 at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome.

More than 80,000 pilgrims cheered and waved at the sky as an Italian military helicopter carrying the pope circled over St. Peter's Square.

The pilgrims in the square and along the top of the colonnade included more than 53,000 female and male altar servers, mostly from the pope's native Germany, but also from 16 other European countries.

The altar servers were taking part in a two-day pilgrimage to Rome organized by the European-based association "Coetus Internationalis Ministrantium," which was celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Upon his arrival in the square, the pope was presented with a white pilgrim bandana, which he wore draped over his shoulders; he said the gift reminded him of his own years as a young altar server.

He told the altar servers, aged 14-25, that they were very fortunate to be able to take part in the mystery of the Eucharist.

The Eucharist "is a precious good, a priceless treasure and the bread of life" with which Jesus nourishes and sustains his flock, giving people the love and strength they need in their daily lives.

By assisting priests at the altar, the servers help bring Jesus closer to the people and make him ever more present in the world, the pope said in German.

Dedicating their time and hearts to God will bring altar servers "true joy and more complete happiness," he said.

As part of the international pilgrimage, a four-and-a-half ton, 16-foot-tall bronze statue of St. Tarcisius, the patron saint of altar servers, was temporarily placed in St. Peter's Square.

The statue made a two-year pilgrimage of its own, traveling from Switzerland to Hungary and finally to Rome. It was to be moved Aug. 5 to its final destination outside the Catacombs of St. Callistus, where the young 3rd-century saint is believed to have been buried.

According to tradition, the young man, who was perhaps an acolyte or a deacon, was killed by a mob while defending the Eucharist he was carrying to prisoners and the homebound.

Pope Benedict said the young martyr exemplifies "the deep love and great veneration that we should have toward the Eucharist."

While martyrdom will probably not be asked of most young people in Europe today, he said, Jesus is calling everyone to be faithful "to the little things, to everyday duties and to witnessing his love by going to church" and spending time with people who help deepen your faith.

Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service