eight in the morning
He said his mass in his chapel , a little room which simply contained an altar of painted wood , and which nobody but himself ever entered . His private apartments were limited to three rooms -- a bed-room , dining-room , and study -- all very modest and small , contrived indeed by partitioning off portions of one large hall . And he led a very retired life , exempt from all luxury , like one who is frugal and poor . At eight in the morning he drank a cup of cold milk for his breakfast . Then , when there were sittings of the Congregations to which he belonged , he attended them ; otherwise he remained at home and gave audience . Dinner was served at one o'clock , and afterwards came the siesta , lasting until five in summer and until four at other seasons -- a sacred moment when a servant would not have dared even to knock at the door . On awaking , if it were fine , his Eminence drove out towards the ancient Appian Way , returning at sunset when the / Ave Maria / began to ring .