Mario Lopez Reveals Why He Doesn’t Keep His Religion a Secret — “It’s Important to Me”

After more than 30 years in show business, Extra host Mario Lopez says he has seen it all and knows what’s most important in life. And, in a new interview with In Touch Weekly — in the magazine’s latest issue, on newsstands now! — the 44-year-old father-of-two opened up about how his faith keeps him grounded.

While he may have spent his career hobnobbing with celebrities all over the world, it wasn’t until this past March that he got to take the trip of his lifetime. “Israel was always on my bucket list — I wanted to see where Jesus used to kick it,” he told In Touch of his tour of the Holy Land, which culminated in him getting baptized in the Jordan River.

Mario and his family.

A devout Catholic and father to Gia, 7, and Dominic, 4, with wife Courtney, Mario said he’s not worried about people treating him differently for being religious. “They always say not to talk about politics or faith, but I’m always proud to talk about my faith if asked. It’s important to me,” he explained.

“And I respect and appreciate all faiths. I think they’re all trying to get to the same place and just taking different paths,” he added. “I think people who are into their faith can appreciate someone who’s into theirs.”