I created a set simple stations for my students to reflect on each of the four events in the Paschal Mystery. Each station was short and simple, but really powerful. I wanted to share them with anyone who might be interested.

(Note: Below you will find educational class stations, not to be confused with the traditional Stations of the Cross. For Stations of the Cross activities, go here.)

First, of course, I presented a definition of the Paschal Mystery using this video:

Then I had students break into four groups and rotate through the four stations.

You will need note cards, post-it notes, and a large sheet of paper.

Each station took about 3 minutes for the students to complete, so this went pretty fast.

Paschal Mystery Stations Activities

Station 1: Passion

Jesus suffered . . . for you!

Directions: Create a tent with a note card. On one side write and draw what you are (or could be) giving up for Lent. Then on the other side write the name and draw the person for whom you are giving this up.

Station 2: Death

Jesus died on the Cross.

Directions: You will draw two pictures of yourself on each side of the note card. On one side draw a picture of the worst version of yourself (mean? weak? lazy?). Then on the other side draw a picture of the most successful version of yourself (but not necessarily a good version of yourself). After you finish the two drawings, tear the note card into pieces and throw them in the garbage.

Station 3: Resurrection

Jesus rose from the dead.

Directions: On the board draw a picture of yourself in heaven with one other person you are excited to have with you after your death.

Station 4: Ascension

Jesus went up into heaven.

Directions: Before ascending into heaven, Jesus told his disciples, “Be my witnesses . . . to the ends of the earth.” On the sticky note, write and complete this sentence: I know Jesus loves me because __________.

Download the Paschal Mystery Stations Printout

Enter your email and I will send you a PDF with instructions you can post on the wall for each of these stations.

Get Additional Easter & Holy Week Teaching Tools

Download The Religion Teacher’s Easter & Holy Week Activity Pack for ready-to-use lesson plans, worksheets, videos, prayers, meditations, and assessments to guide students through the most important events of Jesus’s Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension plus Pentecost.

Download today >

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What can kids give up or do for Lent? Here is a list of Lenten ideas for kids to live out the three pillars of Lent: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

There are a few different ways to use the list:

• Pick just one idea to do this year for Lent.
• Pick one in each category for Lent this year.
• Complete the list! Carry out all forty ideas during the forty days of Lent and check them off as you go.

Here are the forty ideas! You can download a printable version below.

Prayer Ideas for Kids during Lent

• Say a short prayer every morning.
• Thank God for three things every night.
• Pray one Our Father slowly and carefully.
• Pray for someone who is sick or sad.
• Pray for your teacher or classmates.
• Pray before homework or schoolwork.
• Say a prayer for people who are hungry.
• Spend one quiet minute with God.
• Pray for someone you find difficult.
• Read one Bible verse and reflect on it.
• Pray a decade of the Rosary.
• Say a prayer while you brush your teeth.
• Pray the Hail Mary three times each day.
• Start your day with the Sign of the Cross.

Fasting Ideas for Kids during Lent

• Give up complaining.
• Turn off screens for 30 minutes.
• Skip dessert or treats after dinner.
• Give up arguing or talking back.
• Give up your favorite video game.
• Give up negative words.
• Choose water not sugary drinks.
• Don’t wear your favorite clothes.
• Stop yourself from interrupting.
• Give up extra snacks between meals.
• Give up your favorite kind of music.
• Give up your favorite breakfast food.
• Turn off all devices after dinner.

Almsgiving Ideas for Kids during Lent

• Share a toy or game with someone else.
• Help your teachers without being asked.
• Donate coins to a charity or church.
• Write a kind note to someone.
• Act kindly to those who feel left out.
• Give away clothes or toys you don’t use.
• Help a sibling or friend with homework.
• Do an extra chore for your family.
• Make a card for someone who is sick.
• Write thank you notes to teachers.
• Save money to give to someone in need.
• Help clean up without complaining.
• Invite someone to play who is alone.

Download the 40 Simple Lenten Ideas for Kids Printable

Enter your email and I’ll send you the list. The downloadable PDF includes a version with a white background to make it easier for printing in class.

The post 40 Simple Lenten Ideas for Kids (Printable) appeared first on The Religion Teacher | Catholic Religious Education.

Explore and reflect on the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary with this lesson plan and activity ideas.

Immaculate Conception Lesson Objectives

• Students will be able to explain why the Blessed Virgin Mary was immaculately conceived.
• Students will feel inspired to live a holy life by the fiat of Mary.

Immaculate Conception Lesson Activities

Hook Presentation: Statue of Mary

Bring in a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary or point to one in your classroom. (Or take your students to see a statue of the Virgin Mary in another place in your school or parish.)

Ask students to point out the details of the image and the meaning that each detail may have.

After they finish pointing out the details of the statue, direct their attention to two details:

1. White and Blue: The white of Mary’s clothing stand for her purity and the blue stand for her royalty as Queen of Heaven.
2. The Snake: Why is Mary stepping on a snake? This refers to the prophecy about her in Genesis 3:15: “I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your offspring and hers, he will strike at your head, and you will strike his heel.” Unlike Eve who gave into the temptation of the fallen angel Satan, the New Eve Mary gives in to God’s will through the Angel Gabriel.

Present: What is the Immaculate Conception?

The meaning of the Immaculate Conception may be one of the most misunderstood teachings of the Catholic Church. While many people improperly use the term to describe the birth of Jesus, the Immaculate Conception refers to the Virgin Mary. It was Mary, the Mother of God, who was immaculately conceived through the union of two human parents.

Jesus was not conceived by human parents. The incarnation was a miraculous event. God is the Father of Jesus and the Virgin Mary is his mother.

If Jesus Christ was born without the stain of Original Sin, then his human mother gave birth to him without that same state of sin. Mary was “full of grace” before she bore her son Jesus Christ.

Here is how the dogma is defined by Pope Pius IX in Ineffabilis Deus:

“We declare, pronounce, and define that the doctrine which holds that the most Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instance of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege granted by Almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of original sin, is a doctrine revealed by God and therefore to be believed firmly and constantly by all the faithful.”

The Gospels, which tell the story of the life of Jesus Christ, do not contain stories of the early lives of Jesus’ mother. The story of Mary’s birth, therefore, is not in the Bible.

The primary Biblical source of the dogma is found in the “proto-evangelium” in Genesis 3:15: “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; They will strike at your head, while you strike at their heel.” Mary is often shown in statues and paintings to be standing on a serpent in reference to this enmity between her and the devil.

Many of the early Church Fathers refer to the Blessed Virgin Mary as the “New Eve” just as Jesus Christ is the “New Adam” (1 Corinthians 5). Through Adam and Eve Original Sin is passed on from one generation to the next, but through Jesus Christ (New Adam), the son of the Virgin Mary (New Eve), grace is bestowed instead.

The Roman Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8.

Download the Immaculate Conception Video Worksheet

Download the graphic organizer for students to complete while they watch the video about the Immaculate Conception of Mary.

Present: Understanding Original Sin

For a better understanding of Original Sin, share this video:

Practice: Correct the Immaculate Conception Sentences

Have students correct each of these sentences about the Immaculate Conception:

1. Jesus Christ was immaculately conceived without Original Sin.
2. The Immaculate Conception refers to the birth of Jesus Christ.
3. Mary is the only human person born without Original Sin.

Meditation: The Fiat of Mary Meditation

Mary’s response to the Angel Gabriel’s declaration at the Annunciation is known as the Fiat.

Fiat is the Latin term for the words we read in the Bible as “let it be done.” It is Mary’s “yes” to the angel’s visit at the Annunciation.

Her Immaculate Conception prepared her for this important opportunity.

Invite students to reflect on their “fiat.”

• What is God calling you to do right now?
• What is God calling you to be for others?
• What is holding you back from saying to God, “let it be done to me”?

Prayer: The Hail Mary

Each time we pray the Hail Mary, we affirm our belief in her Immaculate Conception as “full of grace.” Join in praying the words of this popular prayer as we ask for her prayers as sinners:

Proof: Immaculate Conception Assessment

Complete the following IF/THEN statements about the Immaculate Conception, then answer the follow question.

1. If we inherited Original Sin our parents, then our parents inherited Original Sin from __________.
2. If Mary was born with Original Sin, then __________ would have been born with Original Sin.
3. If Jesus Christ was born without Original Sin, then his Mother Mary was born without __________.
4. If we are born with Original Sin, then it must be taken away by __________.
5. Why was Mary immaculately conceived without Original Sin?

[Answers: our parents, Jesus Christ, Original Sin, Jesus Christ (or sanctifying grace)]

The post Immaculate Conception Lesson Plan appeared first on The Religion Teacher | Catholic Religious Education.

Share this Seven Deadly Sins video, then invite students to go deeper with the worksheet below.

The Seven Deadly Sins Explained

Here is a brief description of the Seven Deadly Sins (vices):

1. Pride (Hubris) = selfishness and a sense of superiority that leads to destruction
2. Greed (Avarice) = excessive desire for money and material possessions
3. Envy = desire for what others have, which is called “covet” in the Ten Commandments
4. Anger (Wrath) = unwarranted or long-lasting desire to hurt or punish someone
5. Lust = intense physical desire for another person
6. Gluttony = overindulgences or overconsumption, especially of food
7. Sloth (Acedia) = inaction based on lack of interest or care

Practicing a virtue is practicing a balance between too much and not enough of some quality. A vice, therefore, is excessiveness.

Pride, greed, envy, anger, lust, and gluttony all express the desire for too much of a good thing. Sloth is lacking the desire. We then commit sins because of these vices.

Seven Deadly Sins Worksheet

Students will watch or re-watch the video in order to complete the worksheet.

Download the worksheet and the worksheet answers here:

Download the Seven Deadly Sins Worksheet:

Seven Deadly Sins Prayer

Close in prayer (from the worksheet):

Lord, forgive me for all the times I have given into the sin of __________. Amen.

The post Seven Deadly Sins Video and Worksheet appeared first on The Religion Teacher | Catholic Religious Education.

Invite students to read and reflect on Saint Paul’s metaphor for the Armor of God in Ephesians 6:10–18 in this lesson plan for kids.

Armor of God Lesson Objectives

• Students will be able to connect the items in the Armor of God to their own lives of faith.
• Students will feel confident in their ability to defend against the devil with the Armor of God.

Armor of God Lesson Activities

Present: Read about the Armor of God

Read Saint Paul’s description of the Armor of God in Ephesians 6:10–18.

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on the evil day and, having prevailed against everything, to stand firm. Stand, therefore, and belt your waist with truth and put on the breastplate of righteousness and lace up your sandals in preparation for the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 
(Eph 6:13–17)

Present: Watch the Armor of God Video

In his Letter to the Ephesians (6:10–17), Saint Paul encourages Christians to be strong in the Lord by putting on the armor of God.

Who is our enemy? We fight against the evil spiritual forces of the present darkness of the world.

Here is a breakdown of the metaphor:

• Belt = Truth
• Breastplate = Righteousness
• Sandals = Gospel of Peace
• Shield = Shield of Faith
• Helmet = Helmet of Salvation
• Sword = Sword of the Spirit, the word of God

He immediately follows this metaphor with a request for prayers.

Why? Because we do not fight alone. We are at war together with our spiritual leaders and all the saints. Pray in the Spirit for our entire army of God to withstand the evil forces against us.

Practice: Armor of God Worksheet

You can have students draw a label their own pictures of the armor of God or give them this worksheet to use to reflect on the video and the description from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians.

Download the Armor of God Worksheet:

Prayer: Armor of God Prayer

Using the worksheet, they should be able to identify the one item of the Armor of God they need the most in life right now. Then they can join together in praying this prayer:

Lord of Strength and Power,
Protect me with the whole armor of God.
Be my defense against the wiles of the devil.
Protect me with the belt of truth.
Protect me with the breastplate of righteousness.
Protect me with the sandals of peace.
Protect me with the shield of faith.
Protect me with the helmet of salvation.
Protect me with the sword of the Spirit.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Proof: Armor of God Imagery Assessment

Ask the students to draw a picture of themselves wearing one item from the armor of God. In this picture they should show where and when they need this piece of the armor the most.

For example, if the selected the sandals of peace, then they would draw a picture of themselves with shining sandals and a peaceful expression on their faces as they are surrounded by something that makes them angry like a little sister or brother.

The post Armor of God Lesson Plan appeared first on The Religion Teacher | Catholic Religious Education.

This lesson plan will introduce students to the theology of Baptism and encourage them to reflect on their own baptismal grace. You can find some additional Sacrament of Baptism activity ideas here.

Baptism Lesson Objectives

• Students will be able to explain why Baptism is important for Christians.
• Students will be able to explain the meaning of each symbol of the Sacrament of Baptism.
• Students will feel grateful for their own Baptism.

Baptism Lesson Activities

Presentation Hook: What is water for?

Bring in a glass or bowl of water. Place it in the front of the room and ask:

How do we use water in our everyday life?

Answers may include:

• Drink
• Thirst quencher
• Wash hands
• Bath/Shower
• Toilet
• Car Wash

Now explain that today’s lesson is about Baptism, the sacrament that uses water to wash away our sins and give us new life.

Present: The Meaning of Baptism

“This sacrament is called Baptism, after the central rite by which it is carried out: to baptize (Greek baptizein) means to “plunge” or “immerse”; the “plunge” into the water symbolizes the catechumen’s burial into Christ’s death, from which he rises up by resurrection with him, as “a new creature” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1214).

Present: The Symbols of the Sacrament of Baptism

Introduce students to the symbols for the Sacrament of Baptism including water and immersion. Here is a summary of the section of the Catechism of the Catholic Church that describes each symbol:

Sign of the Cross (CCC, 1235) — remembers the gift of salvation give to us by Christ on the cross.

Water (CCC, 1238) — 1) water cleans and refreshes / Baptism cleans away sin and refreshes the soul and 2) complete immersion under water signifies the dying (under water) and rising to new life (out of the water)

Chrism (Oil) (CCC, 1241) — the perfumed oil signifies again the cleansing, but in a particular way oil signifies the gift of the Holy Spirit (and will again show this gift’s presence at Confirmation)

White Garment (CCC, 1243) — newly clothed in white symbolizes the person baptized has “put on Christ,” or has risen with Christ

Candle (CCC, 1243) — the newly baptized person and their godparents or sponsors are given a candle, which is lit from the big Easter candle, signifying that this person now has the light of Christ within them and that they are now “the light of the world.”

Practice: Introduction to the Sacrament of Baptism

Now give your students a chance to practice what they have learned about the symbols using this matching quiz:

Symbol Choices: Water, Chrism (Oil), White Garment, Candle

1. We put on Christ.
2. Our sins are washed away.
3. We are led by the light of Christ.
4. Our soul is clean with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Or download and print this worksheet from The Religion Teacher’s Sacraments Worksheets:

Students will match the symbols of the Sacrament of Baptism with their meaning.

Download the Worksheet:

Present: The Baptism of Jesus Christ

Spend some time introducing students to the origin of the Sacrament of Baptism with the story of Jesus’s own baptism in the Jordan River with John the Baptist.

Summary of the Story of Jesus’s Baptism

1. John the Baptist lived in the desert and preached a message of repentance and preparation for the coming of the Lord. While he baptized with water, he prepared people for the one that would baptize with the Holy Spirit.
2. Jesus met John at the Jordan River and asked to be baptized. John felt unworthy, but Jesus insisted that it should be done.
3. Jesus descended into the water and when he came out of the water the heavens opened up and the Holy Spirit came upon him in the form of a dove.
4. A voice came from heaven saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
5. Jesus was then led by the Spirit into the desert to resist the temptation of the devil before beginning his ministry.

Discussion: Have students identify any connections to the symbols of the Sacrament of Baptism today especially water, Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and the Holy Spirit.

Practice: Symbols of Baptism Stations

Turn each symbol of the Sacrament of Baptism into a station for students to explore more deeply. Students should spend about 2-5 minutes at each station. Set a timer and have them rotate when it seems like most of the groups are finished.

Station 1: Water

1. Place a bowl of water in the center of the table.
2. Have each student write down a sin in washable marker.
3. Place the paper in the bowl of water. The sin should dissolve into the water and create a blank paper.
4. Students should pray an Act of Contrition.

After the stations, show the papers to the students with the sins washed away. Have them explain how this connects to the actual waters of Baptism.

Station 2: Oil

1. Place a set of index cards in the middle of the table.
2. Each student will draw a picture of themselves participating in their favorite sport, hobby, or activity.
3. On the back of the index card they will write and recite a simple prayer: “Come, Holy Spirit.”

Explain to the students that the oil of their Baptism reminds us that the Holy Spirit is with them in whatever they do.

Station 3: White Garment

1. Bring in a plain white t-shirt and place it in the middle of the table.
2. On the t-shirt each student will write one characteristic of Christ they want to live out the most. Words might include: strong, brave, merciful, wise, peaceful, humble, compassionate, and loving.

Explain to the students that with the white garment of Baptism, we “put on Christ.” These are the characteristics that Jesus gives to us when we live our our Christian life.

Station 4: Candle

1. Place sticky notes in the middle of the table.
2. Have each student draw a stick-figure picture of Jesus.
3. Label the pictures, “Light of the World.”
4. Have the students place the sticky notes on the whiteboard in the shape of a candle flame.

Explain to the students the connection between the light of a candle and Jesus as the light of the world. He brightens our lives in times of darkness. He lights the way when we are lost.

Prayer: Renewal of Baptismal Promises

Take students to the church and stand around the Baptismal font. There invite them to renew their Baptismal promises using this collection of prayers.

V. Do you reject Satan?
R. I do.
V. And all his works?
R. I do.
V. And all his empty promises?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?
R. I do.
V. God, the all-powerful Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and forgiven all our sins. May he also keep us faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ for ever and ever.
R. Amen.

Proof: Baptism T-Chart

Have students fold a sheet of paper in half. On the left write “SYMBOLS” and on the right side write “MEANING.” They will describe the meaning of three symbols of Baptism. One of those three symbols must be water.

The post Baptism Lesson Plan appeared first on The Religion Teacher | Catholic Religious Education.

Here are some videos, worksheets, and activity ideas you can use to introduce your students to the Book of Revelation and its many symbolic stories. I couldn’t find a lot of really solid resources, but here are a few good places to start.

Book of Revelation Lessons & Activity Ideas

Glory of Christ Revelation Lesson (Ministry to Children)

New Heaven and New Earth Sunday School Lesson (Ministry to Children)

Teaching about the Book of Revelation in Catholic Schools (Ave Maria Press)

Jesus is the Lamb of God Worksheet (The Religion Teacher Members)

Book of Revelation Videos

Here are some videos to explore the meaning of some of the stories in the Book of Revelation:

Alpha and Omega

Lamb of God

Living Creatures and the Evangelists

The Twelve

This video series from The Bible Project is also very good especially for older kids:

The post Book of Revelation Activities & Lesson Ideas appeared first on The Religion Teacher | Catholic Religious Education.

This lesson plan is featured in The Religion Teacher’s First Reconciliation Activity Pack to help kids prepare for the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation.

Sin and Grace Lesson Objectives

• Students will be able to define sin and grace.
• Students will feel grateful for the grace of God.

Lesson Activities & Assessment

Hook: Best Birthday Present

Ask student to share:

What is the best birthday present you have ever received?

After students share their favorite presents, ask them:

Did you earn that present?

Were you given this present because of how good you were or because of how much someone loved you?

In the same way that parents give gifts to their kids out of love, God gives us the gift of grace because of love. There is nothing we can do to deserve it. He gives us grace because he loves us as his children.

Present: What is Sin?  

Watch The Religion Teacher’s “The Meaning of Sin in Christianity” video and complete the graphic organizer.

Present: What is Grace? 

Watch The Religion Teacher’s “The Meaning of Grace in Christianity” video and complete the graphic organizer.

Download the Sin and Grace Video Worksheets

Download a graphic organizer worksheet for both of these videos to help your students listen and learn what they see and hear.

Download the Sin and Grace Video Worksheets here:

Practice: Sin Scenarios

To emphasize the consequence of sin as separation, read the following moral scenarios, and have students respond to the questions.

The Big Test

You forgot to study for a big test. You notice your neighbor’s answers are easy to see. You copy them on your test.

Discussion Questions:

• What did you do wrong?
• How could this sin separate you from the teachers?
• How could this sin separate you from your neighbor?
• How could this sin separate you from your parents?
• How could this sin separate you from God?
• What could God’s grace help you do instead?

Lunchtime Gossip

At lunch a group of people make fun of a classmate. You try to look good by making fun of the classmate too.

Discussion Questions

• What did you do wrong?
• How could this sin separate you from the classmate?
• How could this sin separate you from the group of people at lunch?
• How could this sin separate you from God?
• What could God’s grace help you do instead?

You Choose

Now invite students to create the own sin scenarios in just a few sentences.

Discussion Questions

• What did you do wrong?
• How will this sin separate you from someone else?
• How will this sin separate you from God?
• What could God’s grace help you do instead?

Prayer Meditation: Grace Chain

By God’s grace we are reunited with him and our neighbors. We experience this grace as forgiveness and mercy. We are also given help by God to be united as his children.

Distribute strips of paper cut vertically. Along the strip of paper, have students respond to this prompt:

Describe one moment of God helping you in your life.

As students finish, have them work together to connect their strips of paper with tape to form a “Grace Chain.” Remind the students that grace unites us as children of God. It helps us break down the barriers of sin and sorrow that separate us from one another and from God.

(If a student cannot think of anything to write, then welcome this as an opportunity to pray for God’s grace right in this moment. They can write a prayer on the paper asking God to give them the grace to overcome some challenge in their lives.)

Follow this activity with the recitation of this Prayer to Desire God, attributed to Saint Anselm of Canterbury.

O Lord my God,
grant me grace to desire You with my whole heart;
that desiring You, I may seek and find You;
and finding You, may love You;
and loving You, may hate those sins
which separate me from You.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Proof Assessment: Sin and Grace Exit Ticket

Student will write the definitions of sin and grace in their own words on two sides of an index card.

The Religion Teacher’s First Reconciliation Activity Pack

Are you preparing kids to go to confession for the first time? The Religion Teacher’s First Reconciliation Activity Pack provides teachers, catechists, and parents with ready-to-use lesson plans, worksheets, videos, prayers, meditations, and assessments to guide students toward a deeper experience of God’s mercy and forgiveness.

The post Sin and Grace Lesson Plan appeared first on The Religion Teacher | Catholic Religious Education.

To get additional tools to teach about the papacy and the lives of recent popes, download The Religion Teacher’s Pope Activity Pack. This resource features four, easy-to-teach lessons with worksheets, videos, prayers, meditations, and more. Access it here.

You can also download and print the biography and reflection questions below.

The Life of Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV was born as Robert Francis Prevost on the south side of Chicago in 1955, the youngest of three boys. As early as the first grade, he knew he wanted to become a priest. He entered the Augustinian seminary during high school then went on to study mathematics at Villanova University. After college, he officially joined the Order of Saint Augustine and was ordained a priest in 1982. He earned a Master of Divinity degree and doctorate in canon law, then served as a missionary and seminary teacher in Peru for more than a decade. He returned to the United States in 1998 when he was elected provincial leader of the Augustinians in Chicago, then later serving as the head of the entire Order of Augustine until 2013. In 2014, Pope Francis appointed him as a bishop in Peru where he had spent many years before as a missionary. In 2023, the pope appointed him as the prefect of the Dicastery of Bishops, where he evaluated and recommended candidates to serve as bishops throughout the world. He was made a cardinal in 2024, then in 2025, shortly after the death of Pope Francis, this first Augustinian and first U.S.-born pope was elected by the College of Cardinals taking the name Leo XIV.

Pope Leo XIV Reflection Questions

1. Pope Leo XIV felt called to the priesthood at a young age. Have you ever considered joining the religious life or becoming a priest? Why or why not?
2. Pope Leo XIV balanced study and service. In what ways can you (or do you) serve the poor in your community?
3. How do you think having an American-born pope will impact the Church in the U.S.?

Download the Leo XIV Biography Worksheet

Download the Pope Leo XIV Biography Worksheet, which includes three questions to help your students reflect on their lives in connection to the life of the pope.

The post Pope Leo XIV Worksheet for Kids appeared first on The Religion Teacher | Catholic Religious Education.

Teach about the life and and legacy of Pope Francis using this biography worksheet.

To get additional tools to teach about the papacy and the upcoming Papal Conclave, download The Religion Teacher’s Pope Activity Pack which features four, easy-to-teach lessons with worksheets, videos, prayers, meditations, and more. Access it here.

You can also download and print the biography and reflection questions below.

The Life of Pope Francis
(1939–2025)

Pope Francis was born as Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1936. He studied chemistry in school and worked various jobs as a janitor, bar bouncer, and as a technician in a food laboratory until experiencing a call to the priesthood. He entered the seminary to become a Jesuit priest in 1958 and continued his theological formation until his ordination in 1969 and final profession as a Jesuit in 1973. He spent most of his early years teaching in a university and working as a parish priest until he was appointed as a bishop in 1992. He wished to remain humble despite his status as bishop and later archbishop by living in an apartment, taking public transpiration, and cooking his own meals. In 2001 he was named a cardinal by Pope John Paul II and became a strong candidate for the papacy in the years that followed. After Pope Benedict XVI announced he would retire in 2013, Cardinal Bergoglio was elected pope and took the name Francis in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi. He was the first pope from the Americas, the Southern Hemisphere, and the Society of Jesus. During his papacy, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of living among and serving the poor, joyful evangelization, divine mercy, and a greater involvement of the laity within the leadership of the Catholic Church.

Pope Francis Reflection Questions

1. How did Pope Francis live a simple life of poverty like his namesake Saint Francis?

2. What small change can you make to live a more humble and simple life?

3. Immediately after he was elected, Pope Francis asked for the world to pray for him. Continue to respond to this request by writing a prayer for the pope.

Download the Pope Francis Biography Worksheet

Download the Pope Francis Biography Worksheet, which includes three questions to help your students reflect on their lives in connection to the life of the pope.

The post The Life of Pope Francis Biography Worksheet appeared first on The Religion Teacher | Catholic Religious Education.