Table of Contents
The Pope wants people to pray for Catholics in China. He hopes they can be together with the Church in Rome. This was the first time he talked about it.
The Pope said there is a special day to pray for China. Pope Benedict started the special day. He wanted to help Catholics in China be together with other Catholics in the world.
There are two groups of Catholics in China. One group works with the Chinese government. They do not listen to the Pope. The other group is secret. They follow the Pope.
Pope Leo said prayers show we care about Chinese Catholics. He wants them to be strong and happy.
Before Pope Leo, Pope Francis tried to help. In 2018, he made a deal with China. It was about choosing church leaders. This deal lets China help choose leaders.
Some people did not like this deal. They said China got too much power.
A leader from Hong Kong asked the Pope to think about China. The Pope said okay.
The Pope’s Church and China stopped talking 70 years ago.
Vocabulary
- Pope – The main leader/boss of the Catholic Church
- Pray – To talk to God; 🙏
- Catholics – People who are part of the Catholic Church
- Hope – something good that you want to happen in the future; a confident feeling about what will happen in the future; wish
- Church – A group of people who share the same religious beliefs; the building where Christians meet: ⛪
- Government – the group of people who have the authority to make and enforce laws and manage a country or region; the people/group that manage and operate a country
- Secret – information that is kept hidden or unknown; confidential; classified; information you shouldn’t tell other people
- Follow – to do what the rules or someone says; to obey or to act as ordered by someone; to take direction or guidance from someone or something; to pay attention to
- Show – To display or present something; to share; to let people see something
- Care – To want something or think it’s important
- Make a deal – To agree to do something in exchange for something else; conclude a negotiation; to agree to a plan
- Deal – agreement; business contract; arrangement; do business together
- Leader – someone who is in charge of a group, organization or country; a boss or manager; a person who guides, directs, or commands a group
Discussion Questions
- The Pope wants people to pray for Catholics in China. Why do you think praying is important for people who have the same religion?
- There are two groups of Catholics in China: one works with the government, and one is secret. Why do you think some people might choose to be part of a secret group?
- Pope Francis made a deal with China about choosing church leaders. Do you think it is a good idea for the church to make deals with governments? Why or why not?
- Some people did not like the deal because they said China got too much power. Do you think it is good for a government to have power over a church?
- The text says the Pope’s group and China stopped talking over 70 years ago. Why do you think it is difficult for them to talk now?
- English teachers looking for teaching ideas, check out my post on using easy news articles for lessons.
- English learners looking for study ideas, check out my post on using news stories for English practice.
Original Story
Fill-in-the-Blank Listening Practice
The Pope _____ people to pray for Catholics in China. He _____ they can be together with the Church in Rome. _____ was the first time he talked about it.
The Pope said _____ is a special day to pray for China. Pope Benedict _____ the special day. He wanted to help Catholics in China be _____ with other Catholics in the world.
There are _____ groups of Catholics in China. One group works with the _____ government. They do not listen to the Pope. The other _____ is secret. They follow the Pope.
_____ Leo said prayers show we care about Chinese Catholics. _____ wants them to be strong and happy.
_____ Pope Leo, Pope Francis tried to help. In _____, he made a deal with China. It was about choosing church leaders. This deal _____ China help choose leaders.
Some people _____ not like this deal. They said China got too _____ power.
A leader from Hong Kong _____ the Pope to think about China. The Pope said okay.
The Pope’s _____ and China stopped talking _____ years ago.
