Angels and Demons & Eurotrip: Pope

I used these scenes when the new Pope replaced John Paul II, but it is an interesting topic to discuss, especially in Brazil, a country where the majority of people are Catholic. Religion should not be discussed in a language class, but this post is not about religion, but the traditions involving the Pope. Make sure your audience approves of it.










A. Talk to a partner. Tell each other what you know about the requirements for one to become a Pope and the procedures for replacing one.



B. Decide if the following statements are T (true) or F (False)



1. ( ) There are no formal requirements other than the candidate be a Catholic male.


2. ( ) There are no formal age requirements for being elected Pope.


3. ( ) Usually, Cardinals replace the former Pope.


4. ( ) Cardinals 80 and over cannot vote for Pope, and no one over 79 has ever been elected Pope.


5. ( ) The person who would be Pope must speak at least 3 languages: Latin, Italian, English. Spanish, French, Portuguese, and German are especially good for a potential Pope to know.


6. ( ) A half plus one majority must select the new pope. If this majority cannot be reached, voting must occur for several days with two votes taking place in the morning and in the evening.


7. ( ) When the old pope passes away, his chamberlain, called the camerlengo, pronounces the pope’s death.


8. ( ) Autopsy is always performed.


9. ( ) Nine official days of mourning occur at the death of the old pope.


10. ( ) There are the preferiti, who are discussed as possible candidates to lead the church.


11. ( ) Official voting for the new pope is done in a process called conclave, from the Latin cum clavis. This means “with key,” and essentially means that the voting is secret.


12. ( ) Cardinals are locked into the Sistine Chapel.


13. ( ) After the voting, the ballots are burned. Its burning causes white smoke to float above the Vatican, signifying the world has a new pope. If the vote is unsuccessful, water or a chemical is added to the burning ballots to cause gray smoke to appear. This signifies a vote without an election.




Answer key: False: 6 (two-thirds) and 8 (no autopsy - it is considered desecration)


B. Watch the movie segment from the movie Angels and Demons. Then discuss the questions that follow in pairs.







1. Describe the scene.


2. Which steps or procedures identified in exercise A could you identify in the segment?


3. What was different from the procedures in exercise A.


4. What's your opinion about the ritual for substituting the Pope?



C. Now watch the funny scene from the movie Eurotrip. Then discuss the questions that follow.





1. Describe the scene.


2. Which steps or procedures identified in exercise A could you identify in the segment?


3. What was different from the procedures in exercise A.


4. What were the reasons that led everyone to the misunderstanding in the segment?

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - ANGELS AND DEMOSNS

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - EUROTRIP