Jun 5, 2026, 20:58

Money for Pope Leo XIV

給教宗利奧十四世的款項

Introduction

Mike Frerichs is the Treasurer of Illinois. He told Pope Leo XIV that the state has money for him.

Mike Frerichs 是伊利諾州財政長。他告訴教宗利奧十四世，州政府有款項要交給他。

Main Body

The Pope is from Chicago. Mr. Frerichs visited the Pope on Wednesday. He gave the Pope a paper for $8.65. This money was in an old PayPal account.

教宗來自芝加哥。Frerichs 先生週三拜訪了教宗。他給了教宗一張 8.65 美元的支票。這筆錢是在一個舊的 PayPal 帳戶中。

Mr. Frerichs paid for the trip with his own money. He also gave the Pope a coin and a book about Chicago. His wife gave the Pope rosaries.

Frerichs 先生自費支付了這次行程的費用。他還送給教宗一枚硬幣和一本關於芝加哥的書。他的妻子則送給了教宗玫瑰念珠。

Mr. Frerichs wants people to know about this. He helps people find lost money. Since 2015, he gave back $2.5 billion to many people. He thinks this story helps more people visit his website.

Frerichs 先生希望人們知道這件事。他幫助人們尋回遺失的款項。自 2015 年以來，他已幫許多人拿回了 25 億美元。他認為這個故事能吸引更多人造訪他的網站。

Conclusion

The Pope must give an address. Then the state can send the money.

教宗必須提供一個地址，州政府才能將款項寄出。

Vocabulary Learning

💡 The "Past Action" Secret

Look at these words from the story:

told
visited
gave
paid

These words tell us that the action is finished. In English, we change the word to show the time is over.

The Pattern: Regular words just get an -ed at the end: Visit $\rightarrow$ Visited

Some words are "rebels" and change completely: Give $\rightarrow$ Gave Tell $\rightarrow$ Told Pay $\rightarrow$ Paid

🛠️ Useful Word Pairings

In this text, we see how to talk about giving things. Notice the pattern: [Person] + gave + [Person] + [Thing]

He $\rightarrow$ gave $\rightarrow$ the Pope $\rightarrow$ a paper.
His wife $\rightarrow$ gave $\rightarrow$ the Pope $\rightarrow$ rosaries.

Use this simple map to tell your own stories about gifts!

Vocabulary Learning

Treasurer (n.)

A person who manages the money for a government or company.

Example:The treasurer keeps track of all the money in the bank.

account (n.)

An arrangement with a bank or company to keep money there.

Example:I have a savings account for my vacation.

rosaries (n.)

Strings of beads used in prayer, especially by Catholics.

Example:She holds the rosaries while she prays.

billion (n.)

The number 1,000,000,000.

Example:The company made one billion dollars last year.

address (n.)

The number and street name where a person lives or a building is located.

Example:Please write your home address on this form.

Illinois State Treasurer Returns Unclaimed Funds to Pope Leo XIV

伊利諾州財政長將未領取資金歸還給教宗利奧十四世

Introduction

Illinois State Treasurer Mike Frerichs has officially informed Pope Leo XIV that there are funds available for him in the state's unclaimed property registry.

伊利諾州財政長 Mike Frerichs 已正式通知教宗利奧十四世，在該州的未領取財產登記冊中有一筆可用資金。

Main Body

The recent appointment of Chicago native Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV has led to several diplomatic visits from Illinois officials, including Governor JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson. During a visit on Wednesday with the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Treasurer Mike Frerichs delivered a certificate for the recovery of $8.65. These funds came from an old PayPal account and had been kept in the state's unclaimed property account.

芝加哥本地人 Robert Prevost 最近被任命為教宗利奧十四世，促使包括州長 JB Pritzker 和市長 Brandon Johnson 在內的伊利諾州官員進行了數次外交訪問。在週三與芝加哥地區商會的訪問期間，財政長 Mike Frerichs 交付了一份追回 8.65 美元的證明書。這些資金來自一個舊的 PayPal 帳戶，一直保存在該州的未領取財產帳戶中。

Earlier, the Treasurer tried to arrange this transfer through the local archdiocese, but those efforts were unsuccessful. Consequently, Mr. Frerichs decided to deliver the news in person. To ensure that no government or campaign money was used, the trip was paid for privately by Mr. Frerichs and his wife, Erica. Along with the certificate, the Treasurer gave the Pope a commemorative Abraham Lincoln coin and a book about Chicago's history, while Mrs. Frerichs presented family rosaries for a papal blessing.

此前，財政長曾嘗試透過當地總教區安排此次轉帳，但未能成功。因此，Frerichs 先生決定親自遞交消息。為了確保未使用政府或競選資金，此次旅程由 Frerichs 先生及其妻子 Erica 私人出資。除了證明書外，財政長還贈送給教宗一枚亞伯拉罕·林肯紀念幣和一本關於芝加哥歷史的書，而 Frerichs 夫人則呈上家族玫瑰念珠以祈求教宗祝福。

From a professional perspective, the Treasurer emphasized that this gesture is part of his office's marketing strategy. Since 2015, Frerichs has helped return over $2.5 billion to about 2.5 million people. He asserted that sharing individual stories of recovery, even for small amounts, leads to more people visiting the website and claiming their money. This activity is happening during an election cycle, where Frerichs is running against Republican candidate Max Solomon.

從專業角度來看，財政長強調這一舉動是他部門行銷策略的一部分。自 2015 年以來，Frerichs 已協助約 250 萬人追回超過 25 億美元。他主張分享追回資金的個人故事，即使金額很小，也能吸引更多人訪問網站並領回資金。此活動發生在選舉週期中，Frerichs 正與共和黨候選人 Max Solomon 競爭。

Conclusion

The funds will be sent as soon as the Pope provides a mailing address.

只要教宗提供郵寄地址，資金將立即寄出。

Vocabulary Learning

The 'B2 Logic': Connecting Ideas with Transition Words

At the A2 level, students use simple sentences: "The Treasurer tried to call. He failed. He went in person."

To reach B2, you must stop using 'And' and 'But' for everything. You need logical connectors that show the relationship between two ideas. Let's look at the 'magic' words used in this story to turn basic English into professional English.

⚡ The 'Result' Bridge: Consequently

In the text: "...those efforts were unsuccessful. Consequently, Mr. Frerichs decided to deliver the news in person."

What it does: It replaces "So."
Why use it: It tells the reader: "Because X happened, Y is the direct result." It sounds academic and organized.
A2 Style: So, he went to see the Pope.
B2 Style: Consequently, he decided to visit in person.

⚡ The 'Reason' Bridge: Since

In the text: "Since 2015, Frerichs has helped return over $2.5 billion..."

The Secret: At A2, you know Since for time (Since Monday). At B2, Since can also mean "Because."
Example: Since it is raining, we should stay inside.
Pro Tip: Starting a sentence with Since makes your speech flow more naturally and less like a list of facts.

⚡ The 'Addition' Bridge: Along with

In the text: "Along with the certificate, the Treasurer gave the Pope..."

What it does: It replaces "And also."
Why use it: It allows you to group items together more elegantly. Instead of saying "He gave X and he gave Y," you create a single, sophisticated phrase.

Quick Summary for your Growth:

A2 Word	B2 Alternative	Effect
So	Consequently	More professional/logical
Because	Since	More fluid/natural
And also	Along with	Better sentence structure

Vocabulary Learning

unclaimed (adj.)

Not requested or taken by the person who has a right to it.

Example:The bank has a list of unclaimed accounts that have been inactive for years.

registry (n.)

An official list of names, items, or records.

Example:The land registry keeps a record of who owns every piece of property in the city.

recovery (n.)

The process of finding or getting back something that was lost.

Example:The recovery of the stolen painting took several months of police work.

consequently (adv.)

As a result of something that has already happened.

Example:He failed to study for the exam; consequently, he did not pass.

commemorative (adj.)

Designed to remember or honor a specific person or event.

Example:The city issued a commemorative coin to mark the 100th anniversary of its founding.

perspective (n.)

A particular way of considering or viewing something; a point of view.

Example:From a financial perspective, the project is too expensive to continue.

asserted (v.)

Stated a fact or belief confidently and forcefully.

Example:The lawyer asserted that his client was innocent of all charges.

Restitution of Unclaimed Assets to Pope Leo XIV by the Illinois State Treasurer

伊利諾州司庫將無主資產歸還給教宗利奧十四世

Introduction

Illinois State Treasurer Mike Frerichs has formally notified Pope Leo XIV of available funds held within the state's unclaimed property registry.

伊利諾州司庫 Mike Frerichs 已正式通知教宗利奧十四世，在州政府的無主財產登記冊中有一筆可用資金。

Main Body

The recent elevation of Chicago native Robert Prevost to the papacy as Leo XIV has precipitated a series of diplomatic visits from Illinois officials, including Governor JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson. While these delegations have provided various regional tokens, Treasurer Mike Frerichs utilized a visit on Wednesday—conducted as part of a Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce delegation—to deliver a certificate for the recovery of $8.65. These funds originated from a defunct PayPal account and had been sequestered in the state's unclaimed property account.

芝加哥本地人 Robert Prevost 最近就任教宗利奧十四世，促使伊利諾州官員進行了一系列外交訪問，包括州長 JB Pritzker 和市長 Brandon Johnson。雖然這些代表團提供了各種地區象徵禮物，但司庫 Mike Frerichs 利用週三的訪問（作為芝加哥地區商會代表團的一員）遞交了一份 8.65 美元的追回證明書。這些資金源自一個已失效的 PayPal 帳戶，先前被扣押在州政府的無主財產帳戶中。

Administrative efforts to facilitate this transfer previously involved communication with the local archdiocese, which proved unsuccessful. Consequently, the Treasurer opted for personal delivery. The trip was privately funded by Mr. Frerichs and his spouse, Erica, to ensure no state or campaign resources were utilized. In addition to the financial certificate, the Treasurer provided a commemorative Abraham Lincoln coin and a historical text regarding Chicago, while Mrs. Frerichs presented family rosaries for papal blessing.

先前嘗試透過當地總教區來促成此次轉帳的行政努力證明並不成功。因此，司庫選擇親自遞交。此次行程由 Frerichs 先生及其配偶 Erica 私人出資，以確保未使用州政府或競選資源。除了財務證明書外，司庫還提供了一枚亞伯拉罕·林肯紀念幣和一本關於芝加哥的歷史書籍，而 Frerichs 夫人則呈上家庭玫瑰經念珠以請求教宗祝福。

From an institutional perspective, the Treasurer characterizes this gesture as a strategic extension of his office's marketing initiatives. Since assuming office in 2015, Frerichs has overseen the return of over $2.5 billion to approximately 2.5 million claimants. He posits that the publicization of individual recovery cases, regardless of the sum's magnitude, correlates with increased website traffic and higher overall restitution rates. This activity occurs within the context of an active election cycle, in which Frerichs is contested by Republican candidate Max Solomon.

從機構角度來看，司庫將此舉定義為其辦公室行銷計畫的策略性延伸。自 2015 年就任以來，Frerichs 監督了超過 25 億美元歸還給約 250 萬名申領人。他認為，無論金額大小，將個別追回案例公開化，與網站流量增加及整體歸還率提高相關。此活動發生在激烈的選舉週期中，Frerichs 正面對共和黨候選人 Max Solomon 的挑戰。

Conclusion

The funds remain available for disbursement pending the provision of a mailing address by the pontiff.

只要教宗提供郵寄地址，該資金即可發放。

Vocabulary Learning

The Art of Institutional Euphemism & Nominalization

To transcend B2 proficiency and enter the C2 stratosphere, a writer must master the transition from narrative (telling a story) to institutional (encoding a process). This text is a masterclass in Administrative Distancing.

⚖️ The 'Clinical' Shift

Observe how the author avoids colloquialisms of 'finding money' or 'sending a letter.' Instead, we see the deployment of high-register nominals that transform a trivial event (returning $8.65) into a bureaucratic procedure.

"Precipitated a series of diplomatic visits" $\rightarrow$ Instead of 'caused' or 'led to', precipitated suggests a chemical-like reaction—an inevitable result of a specific catalyst. This is a hallmark of C2 precision.
"Sequestered in the state's unclaimed property account" $\rightarrow$ Sequestered is far more potent than 'kept' or 'stored'. It implies a legal isolation, adding a layer of formality that justifies the administrative effort.

🔍 Syntactic De-personalization

Notice the use of the Passive Voice and Nominalized Subjects to shift focus away from the human actor and toward the institutional function:

"Administrative efforts to facilitate this transfer previously involved communication... which proved unsuccessful."

In B2 English, one might say: "The staff tried to contact the archdiocese, but they didn't answer."

The C2 transformation involves:

Subject Substitution: "The staff" $\rightarrow$ "Administrative efforts".
Verb Nominalization: "Tried to contact" $\rightarrow$ "involved communication".
Abstract Result: "Didn't answer" $\rightarrow$ "proved unsuccessful".

🎓 Scholar's Note: The 'Semantic Contrast' Play

The brilliance of this text lies in the juxtaposition of Hyper-Formal Lexis with Trivial Quantities. By using terms like "strategic extension," "magnitude," and "disbursement" to describe a sum of $8.65, the author creates a subtle, sophisticated irony. This ability to maintain a rigid, academic tone while describing an absurdity is a key indicator of near-native linguistic agility.

Vocabulary Learning

restitution (n.)

The restoration of something lost or stolen to its proper owner, or recompense for injury or loss.

Example:The court ordered the full restitution of the stolen artifacts to the national museum.

precipitated (v.)

To cause an event or situation, typically one that is bad or undesirable, to happen suddenly, unexpectedly, or prematurely.

Example:The sudden collapse of the bank precipitated a widespread financial crisis across the region.

defunct (adj.)

No longer existing or functioning.

Example:The researcher spent years studying the laws of a defunct civilization.

sequestered (v.)

To isolate or keep separate; in a legal context, to set aside assets or a jury.

Example:The disputed funds were sequestered in a neutral escrow account until the trial concluded.

posits (v.)

To put forward as a basis of argument; to suggest a theory or hypothesis.

Example:The economist posits that lower interest rates will inevitably lead to increased consumer spending.

disbursement (n.)

The payment of money from a fund, especially one managed by an organization.

Example:The university is responsible for the timely disbursement of student loans and grants.

Practice All words in a crossword→