As we mourn the passing of John Paul II we give thanks for a most inspiring Pope who has made a real difference to our lives and to the history of the world. Since his election in October 1978 he has delivered more speeches, met with more world leaders, canonised more saints and visited over 129 countries.

He was the first non- Italian pontiff in 455 years, the first Pope to visit a mosque and his symbolic gesture as he slipped his piece of paper in the Wailing Wall touched hearts all over the world.

In 1981 he was severely wounded and spent 11 weeks in hospital in an attempted assassination but as the world paid its last respects to one of the best-loved and most influential pontiffs of all time, hearts and minds now turn to his successor. Who will step into the fisherman’s shoes? We ask you to pray for the man whom God is about to call and to pray for the Church as we look to the future and face the new challenges that will confront our faith.

The College of Cardinals will go into the conclave on April 18th and white smoke and pealing bells will signal the arrival of the new Pope: the Bishop of Rome, the Pontifex Maximus, the Vicar of Christ, Patriarch of the West, Successor of the Prince of the Apostles, Servant of the Servants of God.