What happens when the Pope dies?
Activity 1 : Watch the video (4:00).
Activity 2: Complete the True or False below. If the statement is false, explain why.
1. Pope Francis was the first pope to be buried inside the Vatican after his death.
2. The Camerlengo is the person who confirms the pope’s death and manages the Vatican's finances.
3. A traditional papal funeral includes a plain wooden coffin lined with lead and oak.
4. When the cardinals elect a new pope, the process is done in complete secrecy inside the Sistine Chapel.
5. Black smoke from the Sistine Chapel indicates that the new pope has been chosen.
Activity 3: Match the following words to their definitions
1. White Smoke
2. Baptismal Name
3. Conclave
4. Basilica
5. Camerlengo
6. Cardinals
7. Ring of the Fisherman
8. Papal Apartments
9. Black Smoke
10. Cypress, Lead, Oak Coffins
11. Habemus Papam
A. A secret meeting where cardinals elect the new pope.
B. A large and historically important church building.
C. The special ring symbolizing the pope’s power, destroyed after his death.
D. The name given at baptism, used in the death confirmation ritual.
E. Senior church officials who vote in the pope’s election.
F. A Latin phrase meaning “We have a pope.”
G. The private residence of the pope inside the Vatican.
H. A triple-layer coffin tradition used for papal burials.
I. A signal that a new pope has been successfully chosen.
J. The senior official who confirms the pope’s death and manages Vatican affairs.
K. A smoke signal indicating that no pope has been elected yet.
Activity 4: Fill the blanks with the vocabulary from Activity 3. One word is not needed.
1. After the death of the pope, the __________ is the first to confirm the death and inform the cardinals.
2. When a new pope is chosen, __________ is released to signal the election has been completed.
3. Every pope has a special ring, called the __________, that represents his authority, which is broken after his death.
4. The __________ are the senior church officials who vote to elect the new pope in a secret meeting.
5. The __________ is a famous church in Vatican City, known for being the final resting place of many popes.
6. The pope’s residence, known as the __________, is located inside Vatican City.
7. The funeral of a pope traditionally involves three nested coffins made of __________, lead, and oak.
8. If no pope is chosen during the __________, the cardinals release __________ to let the public know the election is still ongoing.
9. After the conclave, the announcement of the new pope is made with the famous Latin phrase, “__________!”
10. The pope’s __________ is the name given to him at baptism, which is used during the ritual to confirm his death.
11. During the election process, __________ will wait to see the white smoke signal rise from the chimney before they can celebrate the new pope.
Activity 5: Choose one of the following prompts to reflect on the video.
After reflecting, either record a voice note summarising your thoughts or write a brief paragraph below.
Why do you think the Vatican follows such a strict and secretive process for electing a new pope?
Consider the tradition and significance of the ritual. How might this secrecy affect the public's trust in the process?
How does the ritual surrounding the death of a pope reflect the values and traditions of the Catholic Church?
Think about the symbolism of breaking the pope's ring or the choice of burial place. What do these traditions say about power, leadership, and faith?
If you were a cardinal, what qualities would you look for in a new pope, and why?
Consider what makes a good leader, especially in a role with such global influence. Would you prioritize experience, character, or something else?
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