A Malvern priest's portrait is to hang on the walls of an ancient religious institution in Rome.

The painting of Monsignor Patrick Kilgarriff, of St Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, will hang in the Venerable English College, where he was rector for five years.

In keeping with college tradition, it will be displayed in the library, alongside portraits of previous rectors.

Birmingham-based artist Graham Kershaw, who formerly worked in Ledbury, was chosen to paint the portrait.

"It was a really nice one to do, we got on really well, and chatted all through it," he said.

"I think it turned out really well, and everyone tells me that they like it, so that's great."

"To go out to Rome and see it hang- ing in a line of paintings over two hundred years old would be quite humbling."

The portrait was flown to Rome this week after two weeks on display at St Joseph's, Newtown Road.

Mgr Kilgarriff was not in Malvern this week but church spokesman Ruth Hopkins said: "I think it's a very good likeness, it captures his expression perfectly, he always listens intently, and I think that comes across.

"Parishioners have been in to see it, and Monsignor Kilgarriff was delighted with it."

Mgr Kilgarriff lived in Rome for 12 years, before coming to St Joseph's in 2004.

He was spiritual director at the Venerable English College in the 1980s and early 90s, and frequently met with Pope John Paul II. The college was founded in 1362, and trains prospective priests from the Catholic Church across England and Wales.

For information about Graham Kershaw visit www.kershaw-portraits. co.uk.