Cancún Sanctuary Plans ‘Francesco’ Hostel Inspired by Pope Francis

Cancún, Quintana Roo — The Sanctuary of Mary Undoer of Knots in Cancún has announced plans to build a hostel named “Francesco” after Pope Francis, designed to accommodate pilgrims and offer spiritual retreats.

Parish priest Luis Pablo Garza said the project will include a restaurant and event halls for baptisms and first communions in its initial phase. Later stages will add lodging with about 80 double rooms, housing up to 160 pilgrims, along with areas for spiritual retreats, a pool, and reflection spaces.

Garza described the hostel as having a wellness focus, emphasizing silence, prayer, and rest. While it will have internet access, rooms will not include televisions to maintain a peaceful atmosphere aligned with the sanctuary’s ethos.

The restaurant will feature Mediterranean-inspired dishes such as salads, pastas, and pizzas, plus à la carte options, aiming to provide an affordable and family-friendly dining experience for groups and individual visitors.

Garza noted the project could take up to three years to complete due to permits, design work, and funding. It has support from business leaders motivated by service, with the goal of integrating harmoniously into the sanctuary’s surroundings and boosting the local economy.

He emphasized that the hostel aims to extend the sanctuary’s mission, offering an open, accessible space where visitors can find peace, community, and spiritual enrichment.