Pope John Paul II

1920-2005

The staff of the Office for Catholic Youth Ministry has put together this resource for use by those who work with young people. It includes some CYM creations as well as some online resources we know will be helpful. While this event brings sadness, it also places in our midst an incredibly rich opportunity to teach our young church about rituals and practices surrounding the death and election of the pope. We pray these resources will enable you to have meaningful conversations and prayerful experiences with our young Church.

May our prayers be one. May the soul of our Holy Father, John Paul II, and the souls of all our faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. Amen.

  1. New! There are great resources from Pflaum Publishing, including a bibliography and more.

  2. New! The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has published papal memorial information that might be helpful.

  3. New! The Answer Key to the Pope Quiz is now available.

  4. Prayer Service - It is customary at this time to prayer the Office of the Dead, part of the Liturgy of the Hours. CYM has prepared that service here in a format that will be easy to use with your students. It includes Morning and Evening Prayer.

  5. What Happens Next? Here's an overview of what you can expect in the days and weeks following the passing of the pope. 

  6. Vocabulary List - CYM is beginning to prepare a list of commonly used words and phrases that will serve you well in the coming days and weeks.

  7. How a Pope is elected - an interactive presentation from NBC news.

  8. America Magazine Site - includes extensive information about what happens from the moment the pope's death is reported through the burial rites, how and when a conclave is called, the effects of the pope's death on the workings of the Church, and what happens after the election.

  9. National Geographic - has created an 'Inside the Vatican' series that includes activities for young people as well as an overview of the Vatican, Swiss Guards, and look at a normal day of a Supreme Pontiff.

  10. PopeChart.com - provides an overview of the election process in an easy to read format well suited for younger students.

  11. Catholic Pages - has biographical information on John Paul II as well as an article by William Saunders, "Did Jesus really make Peter Pope?" and other great information.

  12. Pope Quiz - CYM invites you to challenge yourself or your young people with this quiz about the papacy.

  13. There are also resources available at www.nfcym.org and www.disciplesnow.com, two of CYM's partners in ministry as well as on the English version of the Vatican website at http://www.vatican.va/phome_en.htm.

Quotable: "It is always Christ who sends. But whom does He send? You, young people, are the ones He looks upon with love. Christ, who says: "Follow me," wants you to live your lives with a sense of vocation. He wants your lives to have a precise meaning, a dignity...Every vocation, every path to which Christ calls us, ultimately leads to fulfillment and happiness, because it leads to God, to sharing in God's own life." 

                          --Pope John Paul II, Message to Youth