Election of Pope Leo XIV: A New Chapter for the VaticanCEFR B1
16 May 2025
Adapted from Melissa Vida, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Cecilia Milagros León García, Unsplash
AI-assisted adaptation of the original article, simplified for language learners.
Robert Francis Prevost was elected as Pope Leo XIV, becoming the first Pope born in Chicago. He was born a US citizen but became a Peruvian citizen in 2015. The announcement of his election came on May 8 when white smoke signaled his election after three rounds of voting in the conclave.
As Pope, he began his initial speech in Spanish to personally thank his diocese in Chiclayo, Peru, where he served for nearly 40 years. This gesture of gratitude resonated deeply with the community, prompting joy and celebrations in Chiclayo.
Social media quickly buzzed with memes highlighting his dual nationality. Merchants in Lima also seized the opportunity, creating products related to the new Pope as soon as the news broke. Reports indicated that many Peruvians eagerly shared their experiences with him. Additionally, the Pope expressed a desire to visit Chiclayo, reinforcing his connections to his home diocese.
Difficult words
- gesture — An action that shows feelings or intentions.
- resonated — To have a strong emotional effect on someone.
- election — The process of choosing someone for a position.elected
- community — A group of people living together.
- products — Items that are made for sale.
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How do you think the community reacted to the Pope's election?
- What importance does dual nationality have in this context?
- Why might the Pope want to visit Chiclayo?
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