A photograph from WYD shows Pope Francis clearly wearing a chotki around his wrist.
A chotki is a “prayer rope,” similar to the rosary, used by the Orthodox and Eastern rite Catholics.
When praying, the user normally holds the prayer rope in the left hand, leaving the right hand free to make the Sign of the Cross. When not in use, the prayer rope is traditionally wrapped around the left wrist so that it continues to remind one to pray without ceasing. Continue reading