Pope Francis:

Leader of the Catholic Church

Objective: I can identify the Pope and describe his

role in the Catholic Church.
 Think-Pair-Share:

What do YOU know

about Pope
Francis?

Source:
Catholic Church England and Wales on Flickr
Let’s learn about his life story!
1. The Life of Pope Francis: A Timeline
● December 17, 1936: Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina with the name
Jorge Mario Bergoglio
● 1958: Joined the Society of Jesus following his seminarian training at
the Diocesan Seminary of Villa Devoto
● 1969: Ordained as a priest
● 1998: Became archbishop of Buenos Aires
● 2001: Became cardinal of Buenos Aires by Pope John Paul II
● 2005: Received the 2nd most votes in the papal election after Pope
John Paul II’s death
● 2013: Named the 266th pope (1st from the Americas, 1st non-
European, 1st Jesuit priest) adopting the name Francis (from St.
Francis of Assisi)
So… how was he chosen to become the Pope?
2. The Papal Election: How is a Pope chosen?
● When the Pope passes away or resigns, the College of Cardinals
come together to Vatican City, Italy, to begin the election process
for the next Pope.
● This process is extremely private and highly secured inside the
Sistine Chapel. No one is allowed to enter or exit the Sistine Chapel
during this period of time.
● To be chosen as the next Pope, one must receive a two-thirds
majority vote.
● When the Pope is not yet chosen, a smoke stack on top of the
Chapel will release black smoke.
● When the Pope is elected, the same smoke stack will release white
smoke.
● The Pope will then appear to all waiting in St. Peter’s Square, and he
formally takes on his new papal name.
3. Compare and Contrast Activity
On a clean side of a page, draw two large circles in a Venn Diagram
format.

different sam different

e
3. Compare and Contrast Activity
On a clean side of a page, draw two large circles in a Venn Diagram
format.

As a class, we will be watching videos of Pope Francis’s first appearance

and compare it to Pope Benedict XVI.

Then, you will work with up to 2 partners to compare Pope Francis’s first
appearance and compare it to Pope John Paul II.

Look for these things: their vestments (outfit), the papal coat of
arms (looks like a shield), hand gestures, etc.
Pope Francis Pope Benedict XVI
 Pope Benedict
Pope Francis Similaritie XVI
s?
Pope Francis Pope John Paul II
Pope Francis Similaritie Pope John Paul II
s?
Pope Francis’s First Speech
Brothers and sisters, good evening.
You all know that the duty of the Conclave was to
give a bishop to Rome. It seems that my brother
Cardinals have come almost to the ends of the
Earth to get him ... but here we are. I thank you
for the welcome that has come from the diocesan
community of Rome.
First of all, I would say a prayer: Pray for our
Bishop Emeritus Benedict XVI ... Let us all pray
together for him, that the Lord bless him and Our
Lady protect him.
And now let us begin this journey, the Bishop and
people, this journey of the Church of Rome, which
presides in charity over all the Churches, a
journey of brotherhood in love, of mutual trust.
Let us always pray for one another. Let us pray for
the whole world that there might be a great sense
of brotherhood. My hope is that this journey of the
Church that we begin today, together with help of
my Cardinal Vicar, be fruitful for the
And now I would like to give the blessing, but first
I want to ask you a favor. Before the bishop
blesses the people, I ask that you would pray to
the Lord to bless me — the prayer of the people
for their Bishop. Let us say this prayer — your
prayer for me — in silence. ...
I will now give my blessing to you and to the
whole world, to all men and women of good will.
Brothers and sisters, I am leaving you. Thank you
for your welcome. Pray for me and I will be with
you again soon.
We will see one another soon.
Tomorrow I want to go to pray the Madonna, that
she may protect Rome.
Good night and sleep well!
4. What is his job?
1. He is the bishop of Rome! He has the highest power over all
Catholic Churches around the world.
2. He oversees all the bishops, who are in charge of their diocese.
a. Ex. Archbishop Jose Gomez of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles
3. He also has the power to elevate bishops to the rank of cardinal.
4. Like priests, he meets with those of the faith and delivers liturgies
during the holidays such as Easter and Christmas in St. Peter’s
Cathedral in Rome.
Exit Ticket

On an index card, describe Pope Francis and his role in the

Roman Catholic Church.

Turn it into the 5th Grade Religion tray when finished!