How Do They Choose a New Pope?

Lesson made on April 28, 2025

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Reading Lesson:

The Vatican said that the conclave, the meeting to choose the next pope, will begin on May 7. This comes after Pope Francis passed away last week at the age of 88. Cardinals from around the world now have a little over a week to meet, talk, and learn more about the possible candidates. Some of the candidates might want to continue Pope Francis’ more modern way of leading, while others might want to bring back a more traditional style.

Since Pope Francis’ death, the cardinals have been gathering to plan his funeral and talk about the future of the Roman Catholic Church. There are about 130 cardinals in total, but only those under the age of 80–about 100 of them–are allowed to vote. To become pope, a person must get at least two-thirds of the votes. Once voting starts, the cardinals are locked inside the Sistine Chapel and can’t leave until a new pope is chosen, except in special cases.

The voting process includes a tradition where people outside watch for smoke signals from a chimney on top of the Sistine Chapel. If the cardinals don’t agree on a new pope, black smoke appears. When they finally elect a new pope, white smoke is seen.

On May 7, the day will start with a special Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica. After that, the cardinals will go into the Sistine Chapel to begin voting. The word “conclave” comes from Latin and means “with key,” because the cardinals are locked in to help speed up the decision.

Comprehension Quiz:

1. Pope Francis passed away last week at the age of 88. What does “pass away” mean?

a) To move to a new house
b) To go on vacation
c) To die
d) To retire from work

2. Cardinals have some time to meet and learn more about the possible candidates. What are “candidates”?

a) People trying to become pope
b) People watching the smoke
c) People cleaning the chapel
d) People voting outside

3. Which is the correct order of events?

a) Cardinals vote → Pope Francis passes away → Mass happens
b) Pope Francis passes away → Mass happens → cardinals vote
c) Mass happens → Pope Francis passes away → cardinals vote
d) Cardinals vote → Mass happens → Pope Francis passes away

4. What is one reason cardinals meet before voting?

a) To learn more about the candidates
b) To pick their clothes
c) To change the voting rules
d) To visit the Sistine Chapel

5. What does it mean if white smoke comes out of the chimney after only a few hours?

a) Cardinals left the building early
b) They quickly agreed on a new pope
c) They are taking a break
d) The pizza is ready

6. If the conclave takes a long time, what can we know about the cardinals?

a) They all want the same pope
b) They disagree about who should be pope
c) They have left the Sistine Chapel
d) They are waiting for more candidates

7. Why is the conclave called “with key” in Latin?

a) Because the cardinals must find a hidden key to leave.
b) Because the pope holds the key to the church.
c) Because only certain cardinals have keys to vote.
d) Because the cardinals are locked inside to decide faster.

8. The cardinals can only leave the conclave in special cases. What might be a special case?

a) They are tired of voting
b) They need to have lunch
c) They may have health emergencies
d) They want to tell people outside the results

9. Which of these statements is false?

a) The conclave will start with a special Mass.
b) All cardinals can vote, no matter their age.
c) Cardinals are locked in the Sistine Chapel during voting.
d) Black smoke means no pope has been chosen yet.

10. What is the main idea of the article?

a) The history of the Sistine Chapel
b) White smoke from the Vatican chimney means a new pope has been chosen
c) The life story of Pope Francis
d) How a new pope is chosen after Pope Francis passed away

Speaking and Writing Activities:

– Discuss these questions with a partner or a small group.

– Choose one topic and write a response to it. Show your writing to a classmate or teacher.

1. What are some examples of traditions in your culture that are still important today?

2. Have you ever voted for something important, like a school leader, a government leader, or anything else? What was it like?

3. In your opinion, should a leader be young and energetic or older and more experienced? Why?

More Reading Practice:

Cardinals

Cardinals are important leaders in the Catholic Church. They help the Pope, who is the head of the Church, make decisions. When the Pope dies or leaves his job, the cardinals come together to choose a new Pope. They are chosen by the Pope and usually come from different countries around the world. Cardinals can be bishops or archbishops, which means they are already experienced leaders of churches in their countries. They play a big role in making sure the Church follows its beliefs and teachings. Being a cardinal is a special honor, but it also comes with the responsibility of guiding the Church and helping the Pope with important decisions. They wear special red clothing during important ceremonies to show their position.

The Sistine Chapel

The Sistine Chapel is a famous church in Vatican City, which is the small country where the Pope lives. It is known for its beautiful artwork, especially the paintings on the ceiling. The ceiling was painted by a famous artist named Michelangelo. These paintings show stories from the Bible, like the creation of the world and the life of Adam and Eve. The Sistine Chapel is also used for important ceremonies, like when the Pope is chosen by the cardinals. Many people visit the chapel to see its art and to learn about its history.

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