Pope Leo Names The Practice of the Presence of God as the Book That Reveals “Who He Is”
Pope Leo XIV speaks with reporters on his flight from Beirut to Rome on Dec. 2, 2025. | Credit: Elias Turk/EWTN
This week, during an in-flight press conference on his return from Turkey and Lebanon, Pope Leo offered the world a glimpse into his personal spiritual life. When asked which book—besides St. Augustine—that someone should read to truly understand him, the Holy Father named a small, humble classic:
The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence.
It was a special moment of honesty and simplicity. And for anyone familiar with the book, it immediately made sense.
The question came from a journalist who asked what has shaped the Pope’s spirituality—what book, above all others, reveals who Robert Prevost (his birth name) truly is. Pope Leo responded:
“One of you asked me the other day, tell me one book, besides St. Augustine, that we could read to understand who Prevost is.
And there’s several I thought of, but one of them is a book called The Practice of the Presence of God. It’s a very simple book, by someone who doesn’t even give his last name, Brother Lawrence, written many years ago.
But it describes… a type of prayer and spirituality where one simply gives his life to the Lord and allows the Lord to lead. If you want to know something about me, that has been my spirituality for many years.”
He went on to describe how this spirituality carried him through some of the most difficult chapters of his life—years spent in Peru during terrorism, unexpected calls to serve in unfamiliar places, and ultimately the humility required to accept God’s will in the conclave itself.
“I took a deep breath, I said, ‘Here we go Lord… you’re in charge, you lead the way.’”
For Pope Leo, this little book is not just a favorite read; it is a spiritual guide.
What is The Practice of the Presence of God?
Despite its global influence, this short classic is not a formal treatise. It is a collection of simple conversations and letters from Brother Lawrence, a Carmelite friar known for his quiet, radiant joy in the midst of ordinary kitchen duties.
The core message is radical in its simplicity: God is always present.
Brother Lawrence shows us how to live as if that truth were real, transforming daily chores, suffering, and uncertainty into opportunities for profound connection.
This book teaches the spirituality of:
Constant Awareness: Making every moment a prayer.
Deep Trust: Letting go and allowing God to lead the way.
Peace in Chaos: Finding calm in the midst of life's greatest hardships.
Accessible Holiness: Proving that you don't need a monastery to live a life devoted to God.
Why This Moment Matters
When a newly elected pope says, “If you want to understand me, read this,” people listen. Brother Lawrence’s message now becomes a window into the heart of Pope Leo’s leadership. And countless readers around the world are suddenly discovering (or rediscovering) this spiritual classic.
At Modern Saints, we believe this timeless work deserves a fresh, clear voice for today’s world. That’s why we have written a modern translation crafted to preserve Brother Lawrence’s warmth and simplicity while making his wisdom accessible to modern readers.
Whether you’re exploring this book for the first time or returning to it, there may be no better moment to encounter it.
Experience the Book That Shaped the Pope’s Spirituality
The Practice of the Presence of God: A Modern Translation
Pope Leo’s testimony is an invitation to return to the quiet center of the Christian life: the steady, loving presence of God in every moment.
If you’d like to read this spiritual classic in clear, modern English, you can explore our updated translation of The Practice of the Presence of God in both English and Spanish.