His Prayer Space

We show you Lolo Kiko’s favorite spots for contemplation— from his room to the biggest Catholic Marian Church in Rome!

- Ignazio Ingrao with Stephanie Jesena-Novero

What is the secret behind the strength of Pope Francis? We tell you what—prayer. He himself revealed this in the apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (Joy of the Gospel): “How good it is to stand before a crucifix or on our knees before the Blessed Sacrament, and simply to be in His presence! How much good it does us when He once more touches our lives and impels us to share His new life!” For Pope Francis, prayer is “the best weapon we have, a key that opens the heart of God,” as St. Pio of Pietrelcina also loved to repeat.

Pope Francis loves using this “secret weapon.” When he was bishop of Buenos Aires, he prayed everywhere: in the cathedral or walking down the street; in the subway or in the improvised chapels in the slums. And he still does the same thing today as Holy Pontiff. Here are the Pope’s favorite prayer spots.

1 In his Room

When he wakes up at 4:45 am, Pope Francis prays alone in room 201 at Casa Santa Marta. He recites the breviary and meditates on the Bible readings of the day to prepare for the morning Mass.

2 In the Chapel