The Vatican Apostolic Palace | Art History Lesson and Map Activity Grades 10-12

Renewed Interest in the Vatican Apostolic Palace with the Election of Leo XIV:

The election of Leo XIV has sparked renewed interest in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the official residence of the popes since 1870. While the papacy spans over 2,000 years with the popes living in various locations, the Vatican Palace has served as their primary home since the capture of Rome. Although popes have resided within Vatican City since the 14th century, the Vatican Palace became the central papal residence after 1870, replacing former residences such as the Quirinal Palace. Today, the pope lives primarily in the Vatican but traditionally spends summers at the Castel Gandolfo Papal Palace (but, Pope Francis converted it into a museum).

This lesson guide and activity align with Common Core standards by encouraging students to analyze and compare diverse artistic representations of architecture, artworks, and primary source materials. It is ideal for interdisciplinary study, bridging Art History, Social Studies, and English Language Arts.

What's Inside?

• File Formats: PDF, Google Workspace™ (Slides)
• Teachers' Notes and Lesson Guide
• 1 Key Characters and Places Anchor Chart (with map activity)
• 1 Map of the Vatican City (ca. 1929)
  • 1 Informational Introductory Text (with student task item)
• 1 Map of the Vatican Apostolic Palace and Museums (with map activity)
  • Two versions (one labeled and the other blank)
  • Guided overview
• 1 Primary Source Reading Card
  • “An Audience at the Vatican,” Adapted from Italian Vignettes by Mary W. Arms (1909)
• 2 Illustrated Supplemental Cards
  • The Sala Regia
  • The Sala Ducal
• 1 Art + Literature Connection
• 23-count Question Bank
• Notecatchers
  • 1 Cornell notetaker
  • 1 Illustrated notetaker
• Frayer Model for Vocabulary Instruction (with student sample)
• 2 Half-sheet Exit Tickets
• Further Reading List
• Teacher-Facing Materials
  • Answer Keys for Questions
  • 2-pt Rubric for Written Responses