Papal conclave at Rydal Penrhos In eager anticipation of the real thing, Year 6 pupils at Rydal Penrhos Prep School 
went into conclave in their school library on Friday to choose their own pope.
Extraordinarily this election, held during their weekly Religious Studies lesson, was open to girls as well as boys.
As a Methodist foundation, Rydal Penrhos places great emphasis on the teaching of Christian values, as well as the understanding of others and tolerance of different views.
The conclave, led by the School Chaplain, Rev’d Nick Sissons, was part of the ethos of learning through experience ¬– part of the variety of school life at Rydal Penrhos.
Resplendent in their red zucchettos (skull caps), each pupil had to argue why their peers should vote for them by coming up with three things they would do that would change the world for the better. In addition, they listed the three qualities most important for a pope to possess.
The first round of secret balloting was inconclusive and a picture of black smoke had to be displayed on the library windows (the librarian vetoed a real fire!). In the second round, Henry Noad came out on top, promising to end racism and let the poor rise up.
Once the white smoke had been displayed and Henry had accepted in Latin the offer of the supreme pontificate, the doors were unlocked and Henry emerged wearing a white zucchetto to bless the crowd gathered in the playground.