When newlyweds Anna and Cole Stevens mapped out their honeymoon across Italy, they thought they’d spend it wandering along the Amalfi Coast.
Instead, a spontaneous decision brought them to St. Peter’s Square on a warm June morning—and face-to-face with Pope Leo XIV.
Just four days after tying the knot in Birmingham, Alabama, the young couple found themselves under the Roman sun, among a sea of 65 newlyweds, waiting to receive a special papal blessing.
What they didn’t expect was a heartfelt, personal conversation with the pope that would impact their marriage from the very start.
A Simple Question, a Powerful Answer
As they waited in their wedding attire, Anna and Cole prayed the rosary together, and one question kept coming to Cole’s heart:
How do we grow spiritually as a married couple?
When the moment came, Pope Leo not only blessed them but responded with wisdom drawn from his own family:
“It is very important to go slowly and to find the style of prayer that works for you and your spirituality.”
He shared how his own parents had prayed the rosary together every day, and how witnessing that love and faith shaped his life.
An Unexpected Connection with the Pope
According to Anna, it felt as though time slowed down during their conversation.
“There was no rush in his voice. No looking around,” she said.
“He was solely focused on Cole’s question and answering it with care.”
After the exchange, they gave Pope Leo a prayer card from their wedding.
He responded by placing his hands on them and offering a personal blessing, entrusting their marriage to the Holy Family.
What the pope didn’t know was that Cole had a very special relic in his pocket—a cloth that had touched St. Joseph’s staff, Mary’s veil, and Jesus’ manger.
A Match Made on Faith and Friendship
Their love story has its own divine timing.
Cole, 24, originally from Colorado, was studying at the University of Alabama when he went on a blind date with Anna, 25, a Catholic schoolteacher and former volleyball player.
“My high school friend knew Cole and asked what kind of girl he wanted,” Anna shared.
“He said, ‘a Catholic volleyball player,’ and she said, ‘Well, I’ve got one.’”
And that was that.
From long-distance calls to weekend visits, their bond grew.
Cole even took Anna to adoration on their third date—and that same chapel became the site of his proposal two years later.
They Prayed for 90 Days Leading to the Altar
Before their wedding, they prayed novenas together daily for three months, turning to St. Joseph, Our Lady of Lourdes, and the Holy Family.
Their faith became the foundation for every part of their relationship.
So when they realized the Vatican was offering the ‘sposi novelli’ blessing to newlyweds within six months of marriage, they didn’t hesitate. Instead of sticking to Sorrento, they made their way to Rome, eager to experience the Holy Year and the Jubilee Doors.
Finding a New Prayer Rhythm Together
Now back in Pensacola, Florida, Anna and Cole have built Pope Leo’s advice into their daily life—with rosary walks at sunset.
“It’s our favorite part of the day,” Anna said.
“We go after dinner, we pray for intentions, and it’s just peaceful.”
It’s a simple practice with deep roots.
“Sometimes at night we’ll say, ‘Wait, we haven’t prayed the rosary—Pope Leo told us to!’” she laughed.
Cole was especially struck by how practical the pope’s advice was.
“It wasn’t abstract or distant. He said, ‘Here’s what my parents did.
Now find what works for you.’ That’s something we can actually do.”
Marriage Advice That Lasts Beyond a Blessing
What stayed with them most wasn’t just the blessing, but the human warmth of Pope Leo’s words—the sense that faith, love, and prayer don’t need to look perfect.
They just need to be real.
Anna summed it up beautifully:
“Every couple will have a different stage in life, and every stage will look different.
The important thing is finding the rhythm that works for you.”