Young people, who have known only one pope in their life, are getting used to the idea of a new pontiff.
Students at Ireland's only German school, St Kilian's in Clonskeagh, give their reactions to the appointment of German Pope Benedict XVI. Leaving Certificate students at the school offer their views on the new pope and the direction in which the papacy should go.
As a German, Sophie Lechleiter welcomed the election of a German Pope as it was important for people in Germany to have a positive role model.
Jeremy Fenner believes that the appointment of a European pope is a conservative statement from the church. Fionn Clissmann agrees but is not pleased about the church's conservative choice. Paul McCabe says that Pope Benedict has big shoes to fill, following Pope John Paul II. Kerrie Beer is hopeful that the new Pope will open a pathway for women to become priests. Jade Crofton believes the Pope needs to be more open-minded about women's rights. Tassos Chrisdopoulos is happy that another European has been elected to be the head of the Catholic Church.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 20 April 2005. The reporter is Gareth O'Connor.
