Pope Leo’s powerful, personal advice for married couples

When Alabama newlyweds Cole and Anna Stevens visited Pope Leo XIV during a June audience in Rome, they didn’t expect a personal lesson in married life. As they stood in St. Peter’s Square for the “sposi novelli” (newlywed) blessing, Cole quietly prayed the Rosary.

He then asked the Pope how the couple could deepen their shared faith. Pope Leo paused and replied: “First of all, it is very important to go slowly and to find the style of prayer that works for you, we’re all different -- many spiritualities,”as reported by Catholic News Agency.

He went on to tell them about his own parents: “My parents prayed the Rosary together their whole lives every day … I found that I was always blessed, I’m sure because of it, their love for one another."

He added that his parents “put their faith in God and in the intercession through Mary.”

“It’s a wonderful thing,” he said.

The couple says the Pope’s warm, unhurried response felt deeply personal and practical. In fact, the Pope has notably been spending long moments with the newlywed couples at the general audiences, speaking for an extended time with each couple.

Afterward, Anna and Cole returned home to Florida determined to make prayer a daily habit, even starting “rosary walks” together after dinner to thank God and pray for each other.

Saints and Catholic writers have long praised the Rosary as a special source of grace and peace. St. Josemaria Escriva encouraged believers:

“The holy Rosary is a powerful weapon. Use it with confidence and you’ll be amazed at the results."

For couples, this means the simple act of praying together can build a strong spiritual bond. Holding the beads and reflecting on the mysteries side-by-side can steady busy minds and hearts, reminding spouses to turn to God and (as Pope Leo noted) to Mary’s loving care during every challenge.

Research backs up the wisdom of praying as a team. Studies find that couples who pray or attend worship together enjoy deeper unity and commitment. One sociologist notes that shared prayer tends to produce “forgiveness, trust and unity” in a marriage, along with increased relationship satisfaction and commitment and even reduced infidelity, as shared by Institute for Family Studies.

Praying together also builds intimacy, commitment and communication between spouses, the study also revealed. In short, married partners who make prayer part of their routine often report greater peace and harmony.

As one Catholic writer, Jorge Vera, put it after helping a couple introduce daily prayer into their lives: “by introducing prayers in their relationship … [they] became stronger and … overcame their difficulties." In other words, treating God as “the third thread” in marriage can make the rope of their relationship much harder to snap.

Many engaged and married couples wonder how to start a prayer routine together. The good news is that there’s no single “right” formula -- Pope Leo himself urged Anna and Cole to find “the style of prayer that works for you."

Here are some original ideas to help you begin:

Choose a regular time or trigger: Begin with just a few minutes. For example, pray together at bedtime or after a meal. Consistency helps, even if it’s only 5 to 10 minutes. Anna and Cole, for instance, made a point to pray right after dinner during their Rosary walks.

Pray aloud or alternate leading: Take turns leading a decade of the Rosary. This sharing keeps both engaged and focused on the mysteries.

Use aids if helpful: If you’re new to the Rosary, try a short recording or app to guide you through one decade at a time. You might also choose a favorite set of mysteries (say, the Luminous Mysteries, since they include the Wedding at Cana) to focus on, then gradually add more as you feel comfortable.

Share intentions and listen: Make the rosary time a moment to quietly share intentions for each other (family, work, friends). Praying aloud or silently for one another can deepen your understanding and empathy.

Be flexible and kind: If one night you’re too tired for a full Rosary, pray one decade or even a single Hail Mary together and commit to continue the next day. Even this small effort honors Pope Leo’s advice to go slowly and find what works.

By trying these steps, many couples find that prayer becomes a cherished ritual, not a chore. As Cole reflected, the Pope’s words were very practical: “Here’s what my parents did, and find out what works for you… I can actually use this advice."

Indeed, what looks like a simple string of beads can become a bridge to God and to each other. Even in busy seasons of engaged life or new marriage, a shared Rosary helps spouses feel supported and rooted in faith.