Back in 2013, I created The Primacy of Peter: A Papal Unit Study & Lap Book to share here at Shower of Roses. This week, as we continue to pray for the soul of Pope Francis and for all of the cardinals in the conclave as they begin the process of electing our next pope, I’ve been working on updating and relocating the files. Since Scribd is no longer a free platform for sharing resources, I’ve moved everything over to Dropbox for easier access. I’m also doing my best to update some of the original files, but it been a bit complicated and taken longer than I had expected since the old formats are no longer compatible with newer software. 😅
This unit study is a wonderful resource for Catholic families, homeschoolers, or anyone wanting to learn more about the papacy with their children or grandchildren! I enjoyed creating it for my older kids when they were younger, and am now looking forward to using it again with our younger children.
It’s still available as a donation only resource, and you’re more than welcome to share this post with anyone who might benefit. If you’d like support the cost of keeping Shower of Roses online or buy me a coffee, donation links are included below. Thank you!
Download all 2025 Papal Lap Book Documents
Donate through Paypal Here or Venmo Here
I will continue adding and updating files as I complete them.
Lap Book Supplies
Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Additional affiliate links included.
Here is a list of the supplies I used for creating our Papal Lap Book:
- Yellow File Folder – I usually purchase file folders in assorted colors by the case made by Smead or Staples so I always have them on hand. You can find just yellow here or here.)
- White Card Stock and Paper – 4 pieces per lap book, 2 to attach to the book, 1 on which to print the flag cover, and 1 more on which to print the St. Peter’s Basilica Pop-Up.
- Scissors
- Glue Stick
- Tape
- Red Ribbon – This is used to tie shut the “Who is the Pope?” mini-book.
- Optional: Red Paper and/or Card Stock (or color of choice) – We used red paper to accent “What Happens When A Pope Dies?”, and red card stock for our “Amazing Pope Facts,” “Selecting a New Pope,” and “Some Special Popes.”
Unit One: St. Peter, The First Pope
- Read About St. Peter
- Read “The Primacy of Peter” (pages 98-99 My Catholic Faith)
- Read Various Picture Books about St. Peter
- Research St. Peter’s Basilica and perhaps take a tour!
- Begin the following Mini-Books:
- The Primacy of Peter Copywork – Matthew 16:18-19
- (Option) The Primacy of Peter Traceable version for younger children
- St. Peter’s Basilica Pop-Up
- St. Peter Pop-Up Cover Picture
- Novena to the Holy Spirit for the Conclave Layer Book
- Adopt a Cardinal – Younger children can use this instead of the Novena Layer Book
Unit Two: The Holy Fathers
- Read Various Books about Past Popes
- Read “The Bishop of Rome” (pages 112-113 My Catholic Faith)
- Begin the following Mini-Books:
- Who is the Pope?
- Some Special Popes (Peter the first Pope, Gregory the Great invented Gregorian Chant, Leo the XIII wrote the St. Michael the Archangel Prayer, Pope Pius X – the Pope of the Eucharist – work on one page/paragraph per day)
- (Option) Some Special Popes Tab Book with room for coloring pages and traceable quotes – * Still need to figure out how to update the final page of this one since it isn’t applicable to young children now 😉
- (Option) Some Special Popes Tab Book with Fill-in-the-Blanks
- Amazing Pope Facts
- Symbols and Garments Layer Book
Unit Three: The Hierarchy of the Catholic Church
- Read “The Hierarchy” (pages 118-119 My Catholic Faith)
- Read “Powers of the Pope” (pages 114-115 My Catholic Faith)
- Research what happens when a Pope dies.
- Begin the following Mini-Books:
- Hierarchy of the Catholic Church Flap Book with Definitions
- Where does the Pope live? Trifold Book
- What are the Chief Powers of the Pope? Trifold Book
- What Happens when a Pope Dies? Simple Fold Book
- (Option) What happens when a pope dies? Simple Fold Book with Fill-in-the-Blanks
Unit Four: The Papal Elections
- Read “The Papal Elections” (page 117 My Catholic Faith)
- Read We Have a Pope (also available from Holy Heroes)
- Begin the following Mini-Books:
- Selecting a New Pope Tab Book
- (Option) Selecting A New Pope Tab Book with Fill-in-the-Blanks
- Where does the conclave take place? Shutterflap Book
- Important Roles During the Conclave Flap Book
- Vocabulary Flap Book with Definitions
Unit Five: Assemble Lap Book and Pray Daily for the Pope!
- Finish any uncompleted mini-books
- Create the following mini-books:
- Prayers for the Holy Father Pocket
- Prayers for the Holy Father Prayer Cards
- (NEW) Habemus Papam Leo XIV Tab Book
- (NEW) Who Is Pope Leo XIV Octagon Accordion Book
- (NEW) Pope Leo XIV with past Popes Shutterflap Book
- Create Papal Flag Cover and Assemble Lap Book!
- Add a coloring page or worksheet to back cover if desired – these look excellent!
Papal Unit Study Past Blog Posts/Resources:
You’ll find additional resources and ideas in these past blog posts.
Original Papal Unit Study and Lap Book from 2013
Papal Lap Book Unit One: St. Peter, The First Pope
Papal Lap Book Unit Two: The Holy Fathers, Past and Present
Papal Lap Book Unit Three: The Hierarchy of the Catholic Church
7 Quick Takes :: Habemus Papam!
Scroll through all past Papal Unit Study posts here.
We Have a Pope (also available from Holy Heroes) • The Swiss Guard: Protectors of the Pope • Popes Coloring Book • 101 Surprising Facts About Church History (also available from TAN Books)
We Have a Pope! • I Believe: The Apostle’s Creed in Sacred Art for Young Children (also available from Holy Heroes) • How to Be Pope • Lolek: The Boy Who Became John Paul II • Be Saints: An Invitation from Pope Benedict XVI • Friendship with Jesus: Pope Benedict XVI Talks to Children on Their First Holy Communion
Peter and Jesus By the Charcoal Fire • St. Peter’s Story • Cathedrals • Karol from Poland • Joseph from Germany • Karol: The Boy Who Became Pope • A Boy Who Became Pope: The Story of Saint John Paul II
The First Christians: The Acts of Apostles for Children • A Story of Saint Peter • My First Catholic Picture Dictionary • Pope John Paul II • Saint Peter the Apostle • Pope Fiction: Answers to 30 Myths & Misconceptions About the Papacy (also available from TAN Books) • Our Holy Father the Pope: The Papacy from St. Peter to the Present
Papal Unit Study Book List updated from original Unit Study:
St. Peter, The First Pope
- The Man Who Never Died: The Life and Adventures of St. Peter the First Pope
- The First Christians: The Acts of Apostles for Children
- St. Peter the Apostle
- St. Peter’s Story
- Peter Receives the Primacy from The New Catholic Picture Bible
- St. Peter page A Holy Card Prayer Book
- Saint Peter Glory Story from Holy Heroes
Holy Fathers
- Jorge from Argentina
- Joseph from Germany
- Joseph and Chico: The Life of Pope Benedict XVI as told by a Cat
- Max and Benedict: A Bird’s Eye View of the Pope’s Daily Life
- Be Saints: An Invitation from Pope Benedict XVI
- Friendship with Jesus: Pope Benedict XVI Talks to Children on Their First Holy Communion
- Habemus Papam! Pope Benedict XVI
- Lolek: The Boy Who Became John Paul II
- Karol from Poland: The Life of John Paul II for Children
- Pope John Paul II
- St. Pius X: The Farm Boy Who Became Pope
- Picture Book of Saints
- Can You Find Saints? : Introducing Your Child to Holy Men and Women
On the Papacy
- The First Christians: The Acts of Apostles for Children
- We Have a Pope by Katherine Bogner – Review here. Also available from Holy Heroes and direct from the publisher here.
- Our Holy Father the Pope: The Papacy from St. Peter to the Present
- We Have a Pope!
- Who is the Pope? A Very Short Book for Children (e-book – no longer available)
- Pope Fiction: Answers to 30 Myths & Misconceptions About the Papacy (also available from TAN Books)
- Chapter on Apostolic Authority: Peter and the Papacy from Beginning Apologetics
- Various chapters from My Catholic Faith and The Catechism of the Catholic Church
- The Vatican Cookbook
Note: My husband grew up reading My Catholic Faith and introduced me to this book. I love it! We will be reading the chapters on The Primacy of Peter, The Bishop of Rome, The Hierarchy, Powers of the Pope, and The Papal Elections.
Prayer for the Election of the Supreme Pontiff by Fr. Chad Ripperger
Lord Jesus Christ, by entrusting to St. Peter and his successors the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, Thou didst establish the office of the papacy. Grant to Thy Church, we beseech Thee, a pope who, in his dedication to the Sacred Tradition of the Church, will seek to govern the Church according to the Deposit of Faith and for the salvation of souls.
Immaculate Mary, Mother of the Church and Queen of Confessors, we consecrate to thee the conclave and the election of the Holy Father. Blessed Mother, look not upon our sinfulness or upon the infidelity of many Catholics who do not accept the teaching of thy Son, but upon the Church which is the spotless Bride of thy Son, so that we do not get the leader we deserve, but a Holy Father who will guide the Church for the glory and honor of thy Son. Amen.
Novena Prayer for the Sacred College of Cardinals gathered for the Conclave to elect the Roman Pontiff by Cardinal Burke (Source to download prayer card)
I kneel before you, O Virgin Mother of God, Our Lady of Guadalupe, the compassionate mother of all who love you, cry to you, seek you, and trust in you. I plead for the Church at a time of great trial and danger for her. As you came to the rescue oft h e Church at Tepeyac in 1531, please intercede for the Sacred College of Cardinals gathered in Rome to elect the Successor of Saint Peter, Vicar of Christ, Shepherd oft he Universal Church.
At this tumultuous time for the Church and for the world, plead with your Divine Son that the Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, His Mystical Body, will humbly obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Through your intercession, may they choose the most worthy man to be Christ’s Vicar on earth. With you, I place al my trust in Him Who alone is our help and salvation. Amen.
Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who trust in Thee, have mercy upon us!
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Virgin Mother of God and Mother of Divine Grace, pray for us!
Saint Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church, pray for us!
We have a new pope!! the first pope from the United States!
Pope Leo the XIV!
It’s been an exciting morning to watch it all! Habemus Papam!
May God bless, protect and guide Pope Leo XIV 🙏🏻🕊️