Amazing Catechists

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Pope Leo XIV: The Election of a Pope in Pictures

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Pope Leo XIV: The Election of a Pope in Pictures

Published by EWTN

The election of a new Pope is so exciting. It is also a fantastic teaching moment for catechists. I have shared some adorable picture books (here and here) to share the conclave process with little ones. The book I would like to share todais is perfect for your middle school, high school, and even adult education classes at your parish or Catholic school. Pope Leo XIV: The Election of a Pope in Pictures is filled with gorgeous photos and interesting facts to share with your students of all ages.

What is the Book About

This book is only 106 pages and packed with photos and images, but don’t let the short length fool you. It is absolutely packed with important and interesting information about the process of how the keys of St. Peter are transferred from one Pope to the next.

The book is divided into 5 sections and multiple appendices:

  1. The Death of Pope Francis
  2. Sede Vacante: The Vacant See
  3. The Sacred Conclave
  4. The First Days of Pope Leo XIV
  5. Installation of the New Pope

What happens when a Pope dies?

Truly, everything you could want or need to know about each of these topics is included in this book. It honors the passing of Pope Francis and explains every detail that the Cardinals attend to to make sure that the Vatican continues to run smoothly and that the Pope gets the respect, dignity, and prayers that he deserves. One interesting thing I learned was that the Papal living quarters are formally and solemnly sealed with a red ribbon to respect the passed Pope’s belongings and living space. This is also a powerful visual reminder that the seat of St. Peter is not vacant.

The book then discusses what happens in the days that follow such as funeral preparations, the novemdiales, and pre-conclave preparations. It explains the rich and beautiful traditions that allow Catholics to grieve while also looking towards the future with hope.

The Conclave

I learned so much about our rich Catholic tradition in how the conclave is kicked off with a special Mass and chanting throughout the Basilica as the Cardinals enter the room where they will be sealed in until a new Pope is elected. It was amazing to read about the rituals of casting their ballots, how the ballots are counted, and how the ballots are burned in the special stove. The installation of the chimney was really fascinating!

The Election of Pope Leo XIV

The book’s coverage of Pope Leo XIV becoming Pope made me tear up as I remembered the emotional and exciting day. The book includes the annoucnement in both Latin and English. I don’t think I registered what it was saying the day that we watched it all unfold on the television, so I enjoyed reading all about it again and taking it all in more completely.

The book also covers the first Masses that Pope Leo XIV celebrated and his first public message (which included him singing the Regina Caeli so beautifully!). The pictures are stunning, and I love flipping through the book just to look at them.

How to Use this Book in Your Faith Formation Classroom

This book would be really fun to use to teach children and adults about the Papal Conclave and what happens when a new Pope is elected. It would be an enjoyable treat to read a little bit at the end of every class. It’s short enough that you could finish it throughout the year.

You could also use it as the spine of a more formal lesson about the conclave. If your class is 1 hour, I recommend breaking up the book in 2 parts and spreading the lesson over 2 classes. Appendix 1 has Pope Leo XIV’s coat of arms which I defnitely recommend sharing and discussing with your students. The symbols in the coat alone are fascinating and would provide for a rich lesson and interesting discussing on many topics (St. Augustine, symbols of Our Lady, and symbols of the Papacy).

You can find Pope Leo XIV: The Election of a Pope in Pictures from Sophia Institute Press.

Remembering Pope Francis

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Happy Easter! Alleluia! Christ is risen!

Some sorrow was mixed with our Easter joy this Easter Monday when we heard of the passing of Pope Francis. It has been comforting and heartwarming to see Catholics all over the world remembering the Pope and praying for him! Here are some resources for praying for the Pope, remembering Pope Francis, and talking with kids about the Holy Father.

Prayers for Pope Francis and Prayer for the Election of a New Pope

First and foremost, we should pray for the soul of Pope Francis! Here are some ways we can pray for Pope Francis.

We should offer rosaries, the Divine Mercy chaplet, Mass, Holy Communion, holy hours in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, and sacrifices/sufferings for the soul of the Holy Father.

You could also consider lighting a blessed candle in your home with his photo. Every time you pass the candle it could be a reminder to pray for the Pope Francis.

Requiem Aeternam (“Eternal Rest”)

V. Eternal rest grant unto Pope Francis, O Lord.
R. And let the perpetual light shine upon him.

And may his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Amen

Litany of the Faithful Departed

Pray along with the video on formed.org.

Prayer for a Deceased Pope (and other prayers for Pope Francis from the NCR)

God, Who, in Thine ineffable providence, didst will that Thy servant Francis … should be numbered among the high priests; grant, we beseech Thee, that he, who on earth held the place of Thine only-begotten Son, may be joined forevermore to the fellowship of Thy holy pontiffs. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
Amen.

Source: Roman Missal

Novena in Memory of Pope Francis (starts April 26th)

The USCCB has prepared a Novena to be prayed for Pope Francis. The Novena is to be prayed during the period of mourning from April 26th to May 4th. This period of mourning is also known as the Novendiales.

Prayer for the Election of a New Pope

Holy Heroes shared this prayer from the Roman Missal specifically for the election of a new Pope. We can pray this prayer for the Cardinals who will meet to elect the next Pope.

Pope Francis’ 2025 Easter Homily

I was touched by the Holy Father’s Easter Homily this year, especially this part:

This is the message of Easter: we must look for him elsewhere. Christ is risen, he is alive! He is no longer a prisoner of death, he is no longer wrapped in the shroud, and therefore we cannot confine him to a fairy tale, we cannot make him a hero of the ancient world, or think of him as a statue in a museum! On the contrary, we must look for him and this is why we cannot remain stationary.  We must take action, set out to look for him: look for him in life, look for him in the faces of our brothers and sisters, look for him in everyday business, look for him everywhere except in the tomb.

We must look for him without ceasing. Because if he has risen from the dead, then he is present everywhere, he dwells among us, he hides himself and reveals himself even today in the sisters and brothers we meet along the way, in the most ordinary and unpredictable situations of our lives. He is alive and is with us always, shedding the tears of those who suffer and adding to the beauty of life through the small acts of love carried out by each of us.

Pope Francis Articles from Our Archives for Catechists

Here are some articles from our archives that include encouragement and opportunities for reflection for catechists from Pope Francis.

Pope Francis – What it Means to Be a Catechist by William O’Leary

Catechetical Moments from Pope Francis by William O’Leary

Francis I: The Name of the Game by Tanja Cilia

Resources for Teaching Kids about the Papacy

This is a great time to talk with kids about the Papacy, what will happen in the days following the Holy Father’s death, and how a new Pope is elected. Here are some resources to assist you in teaching kids and discussing the Chair of St. Peter with them.

How to Elect a Pope (Papal Conclave Explained)

Father Mike Schmitz explains the entire conclave process in this excellent video.

Printables, Crafts and Recipes to Learn about the Pope

Lacy from Catholic Icing has tons of crafts, printables, and recipes for teaching kids about the pope. 

Lesson Plans, Activities, Worksheets, Games, and More about the Papacy

This is a huge list of resources from The Religion Teacher filled with lesson plans, activities, worksheets, games, and crafts for teaching about the papacy.

Resources to Learn About Pope Francis

Here is another extensive list from The Catholic Toolbox with resources specifically about Pope Francis.

Praying for the Pope with Kids and a Book About the Papacy

I love these ideas for how to pray for the Pope from Katherine Bogner at CatholicLink. She also includes a book suggestion.

How do they make the black or white smoke during a papal conclave?

Patrick Madrid explains the significance and chemistry behind the black or white smoke signals that come from the Sistine Chapel during a Papal Conclave in this awesome video.

 

 

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