White Smoke and Storybooks: The New Pope and the Books That Help Kids Understand Him

White smoke rose above the Sistine Chapel at 6:07 p.m. on May 8, 2025. After only four rounds of voting, the cardinals inside the conclave had made their decision. The Catholic Church now has its 267th leader—an announcement that filled St. Peter’s Square with applause, tears, and the sound of bells. The world waited in anticipation for the traditional “Habemus Papam!” to reveal the name of the new pope.

The cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church elected Robert Francis Prevost as their 267th pontiff on Thursday, ending a two-day conclave in Rome with the election of the first pope from the United States. He took the name Pope Leo XIV.

The election follows the death of Pope Francis on April 21, marking the end of a 12-year papacy that redefined Catholic engagement, especially among youth and the marginalized. During his time as pope, Francis left behind more than just doctrine—he left stories.

Among his many writings, Pope Francis contributed to children’s literature in ways that felt deeply personal. One standout is Dear Pope Francis: The Pope Answers Letters from Children Around the World, where kids asked honest questions, and the pope responded with humility and warmth. Another title, Children Are Hope, features reflections that center children as bearers of light in uncertain times.

With the arrival of a new pope, families and educators might find themselves searching for ways to help children understand this moment in history. Children’s books—whether written by popes or about them—offer that entry point.

We Have a Pope by Katherine Bogner walks children through how popes are elected and why their role matters. Our Holy Father, the Pope introduces the long history of papal leadership, from Saint Peter to today. And for something lighter but just as meaningful, The Pope’s Cat series gives children a peek into Vatican life through the eyes of a feline friend named Margaret.

These books do more than teach kids about the Church. They invite them into it.

There’s also a quiet but growing interest in how books like these could inspire more localized stories. In recent years, Filipino children’s books have tackled religious themes in ways that feel grounded in everyday life—from helping Lola during a storm to showing kindness in school. With Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle once again among the papal frontrunners, the Philippines remains firmly in global Catholic conversations. Stories written for children—especially Filipino ones—can be part of that dialogue.

The new pope’s first blessing is expected soon, a symbolic gesture that signals the start of his leadership. But for many children around the world, understanding the significance of this moment won’t come from speeches. It will come from pages they can hold.

As Catholic families look ahead, there’s a renewed opportunity to bring the idea of the papacy closer to home—through storytelling, questions, and shared reading. Whether it’s a letter to the pope or a fictional cat exploring Vatican hallways, there are books ready to meet the moment.

Because while white smoke tells the world a pope has been chosen, it’s the stories we share that help children understand why it matters.

The election follows the death of Pope Francis on April 21, marking the end of a 12-year papacy that redefined Catholic engagement, especially among youth and the marginalized. During his time as pope, Francis left behind more than just doctrine—he left stories.

Among his many writings, Pope Francis contributed to children’s literature in ways that felt deeply personal. One standout is Dear Pope Francis: The Pope Answers Letters from Children Around the World, where kids asked honest questions, and the pope responded with humility and warmth. Another title, Children Are Hope, features reflections that center children as bearers of light in uncertain times.

With the arrival of a new pope, families and educators might find themselves searching for ways to help children understand this moment in history. Children’s books—whether written by popes or about them—offer that entry point.

We Have a Pope by Katherine Bogner walks children through how popes are elected and why their role matters. Our Holy Father, the Pope introduces the long history of papal leadership, from Saint Peter to today. And for something lighter but just as meaningful, The Pope’s Cat series gives children a peek into Vatican life through the eyes of a feline friend named Margaret.

These books do more than teach kids about the Church. They invite them into it.

There’s also a quiet but growing interest in how books like these could inspire more localized stories. In recent years, Filipino children’s books have tackled religious themes in ways that feel grounded in everyday life—from helping Lola during a storm to showing kindness in school. With Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle once again among the papal frontrunners, the Philippines remains firmly in global Catholic conversations. Stories written for children—especially Filipino ones—can be part of that dialogue.

The new pope’s first blessing is expected soon, a symbolic gesture that signals the start of his leadership. But for many children around the world, understanding the significance of this moment won’t come from speeches. It will come from pages they can hold.

As Catholic families look ahead, there’s a renewed opportunity to bring the idea of the papacy closer to home—through storytelling, questions, and shared reading. Whether it’s a letter to the pope or a fictional cat exploring Vatican hallways, there are books ready to meet the moment.

Because while white smoke tells the world a pope has been chosen, it’s the stories we share that help children understand why it matters.