Pope Francis was the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, which has over a billion followers around the world. He was born in Argentina on 17 December 1936, and his real name was Jorge Mario Bergoglio. In 2013, he became the 266th pope and made history as the first pope from South America and the first Jesuit pope ever!
Pope Francis was known for being kind, humble, and close to the people. He liked to live simply, wore plain clothes, and even chose not to live in the fancy papal palace. He cared deeply about the poor, the environment, and making peace among people of all religions.
One of the things Pope Francis often spoke about was love—loving your neighbours, helping others, and caring for our planet. He also talked about forgiveness and wanted the Church to welcome everyone with open arms.
He visited many countries, met people from all walks of life, and tried to make the world a better place by spreading kindness and understanding. Kids, families, and even world leaders admired him for his gentle nature and powerful words.
Whether you are religious or not, Pope Francis’s messages of peace, care, and compassion touched hearts everywhere.
What Is Vatican City?
Vatican City is the smallest country in the world! It’s so tiny that you can walk across it in just a few minutes. It’s located right in the middle of Rome, Italy, and is completely surrounded by the city.
A Country inside a City
Even though it’s small, Vatican City is a real country. It has its own flag, stamps, and even its own radio station! Only about 800 to 900 people live there. Most of them are priests, nuns, and guards who work for the Pope.
Home of the Pope
The Pope, who is the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, lives in Vatican City. He works from St. Peter’s Basilica, one of the most famous churches in the world, and he also lives in the Apostolic Palace.
Art and History
Vatican City is full of amazing art and history. One of the most famous places is the Sistine Chapel, where you can see beautiful paintings on the ceiling by the artist Michelangelo. There are also museums with lots of important art and old books.
A Special Place
Even though it’s small, Vatican City is very important to many people around the world. It’s a place where people come to learn about history, see beautiful art, and understand more about the Catholic Church.
How Many Popes Have There Been?
Have you ever wondered how many Popes there have been? A Popeis the leader of the Catholic Church and lives in Vatican City, the smallest country in the world!
There have been 266 Popes in total. The first Pope was Saint Peter, who lived almost 2,000 years ago. People believe that Jesus chose him to be the first leader of the Church. Since then, many different Popes have taken on this special role.
Some Popes have had long reigns, like Pope Pius IX, who was Pope for over 31 years, while others were only Pope for a few days! The job of the Pope is very important – he helps guide Catholics around the world and shares messages of love, peace, and hope.
So, next time you hear the name “Pope”, you’ll know there have been 266 of them, each with their own story in history!
What Are the Powers and Importance of the Pope?
The Pope is the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, which has millions of followers worldwide. He lives in Vatican City, a small country inside Rome, Italy.
What Does the Pope Do?
The Pope has many important jobs. He:
- Leads the Church: The Pope helps guide Catholics in their faith and teaches them about God.
- Makes Big Decisions: He can decide on important Church rules and beliefs.
- Appoints Bishops: The Pope chooses many bishops to help run churches in different parts of the world.
- Speaks to the World: The Pope often talks about world peace, helping the poor, and caring for the planet.
Why Is the Pope Important?
The Pope is seen as the successor of Saint Peter, one of Jesus’ first followers. Catholics believe that Jesus gave Peter special leadership, which has been passed down to each Pope since.
He also plays a big role in bringing people together. When something big or sad happens in the world, like a war or a disaster, the Pope offers prayers and support.
Even people who aren’t Catholic often respect the Pope because he speaks about kindness, love, and peace for all.
What Happens When the Pope Dies?
Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church, died on 21 April 2025 at the age of 88. His death marks the beginning of a special time in the Vatican called the interregnum, which means “between reigns.”
Saying Goodbye
After the Pope’s death, a special official called the camerlengo confirmed it by calling out his baptismal name three times. Then, the Pope’s special ring, known as the Fisherman’s Ring, was destroyed to show that his leadership had ended.
Pope Francis’s body will lie in state at St. Peter’s Basilica starting 23 April, allowing people to pay their respects. His funeral will take place between the fourth and sixth day after he died in St. Peter’s Square. He chose to be buried at St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome, showing his deep devotion to the Virgin Mary.
Choosing a New Pope
After a nine-day mourning period, the College of Cardinals will gather to elect a new Pope. Only cardinals under the age of 80 can vote. They meet in the Sistine Chapel in a secret meeting called a conclave. During the conclave, they vote in multiple rounds until someone receives enough votes to become the new Pope. When a new Pope is chosen, white smoke rises from the chapel’s chimney to announce the decision to the world.
Remembering Pope Francis
Pope Francis was known for his kindness and efforts to help the poor and protect the environment. He was the first Pope from Latin America and served for 12 years. Many people around the world are mourning his passing and remembering his contributions to the Church and society.
How Is the New Pope Elected?
When the leader of the Catholic Church, the Pope, passes away or steps down, a special and secretive process begins to choose a new one. This process is called a conclave, which means “with a key” in Latin, because the cardinals are locked away until they decide.
Who Chooses the New Pope?
The College of Cardinals is responsible for electing the new Pope. These are senior church leaders from around the world. Only cardinals under the age of 80 are allowed to vote. They gather in a special place called the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City.
How Does the Voting Work?
- Secrecy: Before voting starts, the cardinals promise to keep everything secret. They cannot talk to anyone outside until a new Pope is chosen.
- Voting: Each cardinal writes the name of the person they choose on a piece of paper. To become Pope, a person must receive at least two-thirds of the votes.
- Smoke Signals: After each round of voting, the ballots are burned. If no one is chosen, the smoke is black. When a new Pope is elected, the smoke turns white, signalling that a decision has been made.
The Big Announcement
Once a new Pope is selected, he is asked if he accepts the role. If he says yes, he chooses a new name and dresses in white robes. Then, he steps out onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilicaand is introduced with the words, “Habemus Papam!” which means “We have a Pope!”
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