I think the next big issues will be social issues. The next pope will have to decide whether to risk alienating many politically moderate Catholics by continuing the current policies towards contraception, artificial insemination, abortion, gay marriage and women in leadership roles.
Tim Stafford; Denham Springs; Louisiana

The new pope will be asked by many groups with different agendas to support changes in the church's policies on issues like female priests, married priests, birth control, etc. His biggest challenge will be to maintain the position of the church without alienating the people in these groups.
Andrew Gpett; Owatonna, Minnesota

I think the next pope is going to be challenged by just trying to fill the shoes of Pope John Paul II. Rather people agreed or not with Pope John Paul II, everyone loved him. So, whoever the next pope is, everything he says and does will be compared to Pope John Paul II.
Karen; Jacksonville, North Carolina

The next pope will face many challenges. The first and foremost will be current wars and the wars to come. Then there are the signs of the end of times. That will be the most important to him. But the wars will be most important to the media.
Dustin Barrett; Clarkesville, Georgia

View more e-mails from North America