New pope should 'carry on legacy of Francis'

The election of a new pope has begun following the death of Pope Francis last month. The secret conclave of 131 Catholic cardinals are locked in the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican City until a new pontiff is chosen.

Pupils from Notre Dame High School in Norwich shared their hopes and aspirations for the next leader of the world's largest Christian church.

Luis said his faith and belief in God was important to his understanding of life.

"I'm quite excited to see who the new pope is going to be," he said.

"Personally I have my favourite - Louis Antonio Tagle - because he has a little sense of humility in him.

"Pope Francis obviously had the same [humility]. He was very kind to people - the poor people."

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Victoria hoped the new pontiff would continue Pope Francis's legacy.

"I don't think erasing that would do any good for the Catholic Church because we're not very well liked between [among some] minorities and gay people," she said.

"And I think what he [Pope Francis] did, in helping us is gain time with different people.

"He really connected with ordinary people, not just cardinals and priests. He heard what we needed to say."

The Pope increased the role of women in the church, but stopped short of allowing them to become clergy.

Victoria however, differed on this men-only stance. "We deserve main roles too, it's not just men."

Fellow pupil Alfie praised the late Pope for taking on concerns about the environment, the impact of climate change on the planet, as well as his concern about the poor.

"I think the new pope should really take that into account and be able to speak on those topics," he said.

"And also being able to progress the church while also aligning with the tradition of the church."

Persy was excited about the election of the new head of her church and said it was an "incredibly important decision".

"The pope can change a lot of people's lives," she said.

"But because of the way the conclave is, it's from the Holy Spirit, and so I think we can trust the right choice will be made."

She said the selection of a new pontiff was "absolutely" a special time for Catholics.

At the Catholic state school, pupils held a minute's silence and prayed for the "right choice" to be made by the conclave, Percy said.

"The pope is such an important part of being Catholic, of being Christian - he's in charge," she said.

She would like to see the next Holy Father "carry on all things that Pope Francis did".

The first vote expected to take place early on Wednesday evening, and the world will be informed of the cardinals' choice by coloured smoke issuing from a chimney in the chapel.

Black smoke indicates a new man has not been chosen, while white smoke means one has been selected.

About 1.4 billion people across the world identify as Roman Catholic.

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