Read Time: 5 min 23 sec | Reading Level: 6th Grade

WORLD NEWS

Habemus papam (We Have a Pope)

Last Thursday, the world was introduced to the new leader of the Catholic Church. For the first time ever, he's from the US of A. 

Cardinals (senior members of the Catholic Church) spent last Wednesday and Thursday voting on who would be the 267th pope. Wednesday night and Thursday morning, they didn't agree on who to elect. They let the world know this by sending up black smoke from the Sistine Chapel. Then, around 6 p.m. Vatican time on Thursday, the chimneys sent up white smoke... meaning a new pope had been elected. 

The man chosen was 69-year-old Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost. When a new pope is chosen, they get to choose what they want to be called as the pope. Cardinal Prevost chose the name Leo XIV.

Pope Leo was born in Chicago and ordained an Augustinian priest in 1982. He served as a missionary and eventually a bishop in Peru. Two years ago, Pope Francis made him a cardinal and brought him to the Vatican to run the office that selects and manages bishops globally.

In his first statements—given in Italian and Spanish—Pope Leo said “peace be with you all,” and gave honor to the late Pope Francis. Then, in his first address, he called for “prayer and commitment” to spread “a great flame of faith and love” across the globe.

He also explained his name choice. He said it honors Pope Leo XIII, who fought for workers’ rights during the Industrial Revolution. Leo XIV says AI is today’s frontier for justice and human dignity. 

Finally, in his first Sunday message to crowds at Vatican City's St. Peter's Square, he declared, “Never again war!” and called for “a just and lasting peace” in Ukraine and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, demanding hostages be freed and aid delivered. 

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CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
The occasion of choosing a new pope is a great opportunity for us to commit to praying for all of our leaders, local and global. May God grant wisdom to all who lead His people.

“First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” 
1 Timothy 2:1-2 (CSB) (read full passage)

What questions might my kids have about this story?
They may wonder about the main differences between Catholics and Protestants. The first thing to consider is what unites Catholics and Protestants: the belief that Jesus is the Savior of the World. They are not enemies but co-laborers in a fight against the destructiveness of sin.

They do have distinct differences, including their views on authority. 

• Catholics believe that Jesus appointed Peter as the leader of the church and that leadership continues today through the Pope. They believe he has special authority along with the Bible and guides the church through tradition and leadership.

• Protestants believe the Bible alone is the highest authority, and they don’t follow a single leader like the Pope. 

To explore more differences, consider reading this article.

What response to this story do I want to model for my children?
A high view of prayer.

When the cardinals gather to choose a new pope, they ask God for guidance, that He would lead them to the right choice. They pray expectantly, something we all should model in our daily lives. 

The Bible has a lot to say about prayer—including that we should pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and that the prayer of a righteous person is powerful (James 5:16)

We can look to Jesus, learning from how he modeled prayer in the Bible: He prayed often—sometimes for others (Matthew 19:13), sometimes with others (Luke 9:28), and sometimes alone (Luke 5:16).

• Discuss as a family something that each of you is going through, and where you are looking for God’s guidance.

• Memorize 1 Timothy 2:1: “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people.”

• Pray for all of the leaders of the church, Protestant, Catholic, and otherwise, that they may lead God’s people with wisdom, compassion, and a passion for God.

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