MOST young artists dream of having their work praised by people in high places - but who could hope for recognition from the Pope?

That's exactly what happened to teenager Isobel Bidwell when her teachers decided to send a print of the 17-year-old's portrait of Mother Teresa to the Vatican.

And nobody was more surprised than Isobel, of Hurst Green, when a letter came back from Pope John Paul II thanking her for the gift. Her teachers had not told her they had sent a copy to the Papal city.

Isobel, a pupil at Stonyhurst College, created what her teachers have described as a 'striking' image of the famous nun as part as project of narrative pictures.

Isobel, whose parents work at the college, said: "I didn't know anything about a copy of the picture being sent to the Pope until a letter came back from the Vatican.

"The Pope doesn't write letters himself, but has someone to do them on his behalf and he instructs who that person writes to.

"It is very strange to think that the picture could be hanging up in the Vatican somewhere now.

"I never even thought that could happen when I set out to do it.

"I chose Mother Teresa because her face has a lot of character and really tells a story."

Isobel, studying A-levels at the college, chose to call it If I judge, I cannot love -- a phrase famously used by Mother Teresa.

Monsignor Gabriele Caccia, who writes letters on behalf of the Pope, wrote: "His Holiness wishes you to know how appreciative he is of your thoughtful gesture.

"He prays that Isobel and the other pupils taking art and design will grow in their understanding of the many ways in which our faith is expressed through cultural traditions and the arts, thereby shaping societies with Christ's message of love and truth."

Acting head of art at Stonyhurst College Joanna Robinson said: "We sent the print portrait to the Pope to show the continuing influence of Mother Teresa among young people - and to illustrate the quality of artwork being created by our pupils."