Papel Study Guide

What is a Pope?

• The pope is the Bishop of Rome and the leader of the Roman Catholic Church

• At the top are the Pope, cardinals, archbishops, bishops, priests, and at the bottom are catholic.

St. Peter. The first pope.

• St Peter was one of Jesus’ twelve disciples.

• Peter was originally a fisherman until he was chosen by Jesus to be a leader.

• Peter was crucified upside down by the Roman emperor, Nero.

• Peter did not think he was worthy to be crucified in the same way as Jesus died.

How many popes have there been?

• There have been a total of 266 popes since Jesus was on earth.

Where does the pope reside?

• The pope lives in the apostolic palace in Vatican city, Rome, Italy.

• The Vatican is regarded as a country unto itself.

How is pope chosen?

• When a pope dies a new pope must be elected. The senior officials, known as a conclave of the cardinals are responsible for electing the new pope.

• The election of the pope almost always takes place in the Sistine Chapel.

• Each cardinal writes their vote on a piece of paper and its placed it in a large chalice on the altar.

• Balloting will continue until someone is elected by a two

  third majority.

• Once the ballots are counted they are burned in a special stove in the Sistine Chapel, with the smoke escaping through a small chimney visible from St. Peter's Square.

• The ballots from an unsuccessful vote are burned along with a chemical to create black smoke.

• When a vote is successful, the ballots are burned alone, sending white smoke through the chimney and announcing to the world the election of a new pope!

Some interesting pope facts.

• The longest reigning pope was Pope Pius IX. He reigned for 31years, 7months and 23 days from 1846-1878

• The shortest reigning pope was Pope Urban VII who only reigned for 13 days; he died before his coronation in 1590

• Pope John Paul II was named an honorary Harlem Globe Trotter in 2000!

• Before 1139AD it was common for popes to marry. There have been three popes were under the age of 25.

Multiple Choice

1. Where and when was Pope Francis born?

December 17,1936 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

2. What was his original name?

Jorge Mario Bergoglio

3. Which two subjects did he teach at Santa Fe in Argentina?

literature + psychology

4. In what year was he ordained a priest?

1973

5. What year was he designated as the spiritual director and confessor of the Jesuit Church in the city of Cordoba?

1986

6. Who appointed him as the auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires on May 20, 1992?

Pope John Paul II

7. As a cardinal of Archbishop of Buenos Aires, what were four goals he had for this diocese?

Evangelization effects addressed to every citizen, open and brotherly communities, informed laity playing a lead role and assist the poor and sick

8. What date was he elected as the Pope of the Catholic Church?

Feb 29th, 2013

9. After whom did he choose his papal name?

St. Francis of Assisi

10. His papacy was a first in two aspects. What were they?

First Jesuit and non-European pontiff

11. How has he earned respect and admiration for the way he leads as pope?

Foundations on humility and poor

• he emphasizes the importance of serving the marginalized and advocating for social justice, which resonates with many individuals across the globe.

Essay

1. Pope Francis tweeted that to live out the gospels you have to fight out selfishness. Tell me about this quote: what do you think this means to the youth of the world and what can it do for us.

   • Pope Francis' message about fighting selfishness to live out the Gospels speaks directly to the heart of what it means to build a more compassionate world. For the youth, this quote is a call to shift focus from self-centered goals to acts of kindness, empathy, and service. In a world often driven by individual success, it reminds young people that true fulfillment comes from uplifting others and fostering community. By practicing selflessness, young people can bridge divides, inspire positive change, and create a future where love and solidarity take priority over competition and isolation.

2. How do you think Pope Francis is doing as a Pope? Tell me how you feel about him as head of the Catholic Church in 2025?

   • As of 2025, Pope Francis continues to be a transformative and influential leader of the Catholic Church. His focus on inclusivity, social justice, and care for the marginalized resonates with many people worldwide, especially the youth. He consistently emphasizes compassion, environmental responsibility, and dialogue between different cultures and religions. While some view his progressive stance on issues like climate change, poverty, and LGBTQ+ inclusion as groundbreaking, others within the Church hold more traditional views and feel his reforms challenge long-held doctrines. Overall, his leadership reflects a deep desire to bring the Church closer to the people, making faith more about love and mercy than rigid rules. His legacy is one of bridge-building and hope in a rapidly changing world.

3. How does a mission of pope francis carry out the mission of catholic social teaching

   • Pope Francis' mission closely aligns with the core principles of Catholic Social Teaching (CST), which emphasizes human dignity, solidarity, and care for creation. His commitment to serving the poor and marginalized directly carries out the CST principle of the Preferential Option for the Poor, reminding the world that the needs of the vulnerable should come first. His encyclical Laudato Si' highlights Care for Creation, urging global action against environmental destruction and climate change. Pope Francis also promotes Solidarity, encouraging unity and compassion across borders, especially for migrants and refugees. Through his advocacy for peace, social justice, and economic equality, Pope Francis embodies the CST vision of creating a more just and loving world where human dignity is at the center of society.

4. Tell me about the process of the two smokes. How is this important in church and what does it mean from st. Peter's square?

   • The process of the two smokes is a key tradition during the election of a new pope in the Catholic Church, symbolizing the outcome of the papal conclave. The cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel to vote in secret, and after each round of voting, the ballots are burned. The color of the smoke that rises from the chapel's chimney, visible from St. Peter's Square, signals the result to the world. Black smoke means no pope has been elected, indicating that the cardinals will continue deliberations. White smoke, however, announces that a new pope has been chosen, filling the square with excitement and hope. This tradition is important because it connects the Church with the faithful, uniting millions in prayer and anticipation as they await the announcement of the new spiritual leader.