The Pope's Slumber

Lolo Kiko Knows The Value Of A Good Rest. My Pope Takes A Closer Look At How He Catches His Zzzs...

- Ignazio Ingrao

Pope Francis doesn’t spend a lot of time sleeping. He goes to bed at approximately 10 or 10:30 pm, and wakes up at 4:45 every morning, with the only exceptions being Mass on Christmas Eve, which starts at 9:30 pm, and the Easter Vigil. Only in those cases does the Pope pull an all-nighter. When Pope Francis returns from his trips to other continents, he also tends to wake up later in order to recover from jet lag. And so he slumbers in room 201 in Casa Santa Marta, in a bed with a wooden headboard, resting on white cotton sheets, and under a comfortable blanket.

SLEEP IS ESSENTIAL

Outside the door of the Santo Papa’s room, there is always a Swiss Guard ready for anything the Pope needs—just as one of his room aides remains on duty during the night, should Lolo Kiko call. The Pope is guaranteed maximum privacy and autonomy, but in his advanced age, there is always someone ready to intervene if he needs help during the night.

Even if the Santo Papa does not spend many hours in bed, deep rest is still very important for him. He has repeated this sentiment many times. Sleep means to trust in God, and to abandon one’s defenses. Every night, before he settles in, Pope Francis entrusts his prayers, concerns, and projects he wishes to accomplish the next day to the Lord. In fact, one of his favorite saints is the Sleeping St. Joseph, who is known for receiving messages and directions from the Lord in his dreams.

CARPENTER AT WORK

God would speak to St. Joseph in his sleep because the saint was a just man who always trusted in the Lord. The Church, Pope Francis said in a deliberately paradoxical manner, is also governed while he sleeps, because being able to sleep means that he relies on the Lord!