PARIS - The world's press paid tribute on Monday to Pope John Paul II but as it looked forward to who would succeed him, calls were mounting for an African to be handed the job of leading the world's Roman Catholics.
As the cardinals gathered in Rome to begin their secret deliberations over who should follow in Pope John Paul II's footsteps following his death on Saturday, many newspapers tried to influence their thinking.
The London-based Independent said the next pontiff faced "a Herculean task, not only in matching the late pope's global role but in restoring trust in, and respect for, the clergy which is at an all-time low.
"In seeking a candidate who can match John Paul II in terms of charisma and leadership, it is to be hoped that the cardinals do not make the mistake of choosing a leader cast entirely in his image."
Millions had died in Africa from AIDS as a result of the Vatican's absolute rejection of contraception, the paper claimed.
In Africa itself, the Nairobi-based New Vision newspaper staked the case for Nigerian cardinal Francis Arinze to lead the world's 1.1 billion Catholics -- but pointed out that he shares the late pope's conservative views on abortion, contraception and homosexuality.
"Nearly 65 percent of the Catholics live in Africa, Asia and Latin America. These shifting demographics should not be ignored when choosing the next Pope," the paper said, recalling that Africa had not produced a pope for 1,500 years.
An editorial added: "Ninety-seven percent of the 120 cardinals who form the College of Cardinals were appointed by Pope John Paul II... They should therefore find Cardinal Arinze suitable for the papacy."
In South Africa, the Sowetan daily also underlined that the Catholic church had an increasing number of African followers in contrast to its decline in the West.
"Many within the church believe that the time has come for the church to break from tradition and demonstrate its openness by appointing someone from the Third World as pontiff," the paper said.
"Africa has a right to demand a place at the head of the Catholic table. While membership has decreased in the West, the numbers of faithful in Africa, Asia and Latin America have grown."
According to The Financial Times in Britain, some Vatican experts believe the greatest challenge facing the Church is the relationship between Christianity and Islam.
Cardinal Arinze, coming from a country which is home to people of both faiths, could emerge as a strong choice, it suggested.
But in France, Christian Terras, director of the Catholic magazine Golias -- which was critical of John Paul II's papacy -- poured cold water on the hopes of the developing world.
"It is likely to be a transitional pope -- possibly an Italian. That would be a way of guaranteeing John Paul II's legacy," Terras said.
"But the new pope will have to bandage the wounds at the heart of the church -- notably concerning priests, bishops and theologians who have been repressed."
Portugal's Correio de Manha daily meanwhile pushed forward the name of Portuguese cardinal Jose Policarpo.
"He is considered as a moderate... and could emerge as a consensus candidate within the Latin American bloc," the paper said.
In Indonesia, a predominantly Muslim country, papers stressed the need for a successor to continue the late pontiff's championing of the underprivileged.
"Someone like John Paul II is needed to speak out for those without a voice," the Jakarta Post said.

04/04/2005 11:04 GMT