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Read what mourners around the world have to say about the issues facing the new pope
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(CNN) -- CNN.com asked users to share their thoughts about the political, spiritual, economic and other global issues the next pope will face. Here is a sampling from thousands of responses, some of which have been edited:
In Europe, this pope will have to deal with the issue of sexuality. Unlike America, Europe isn't as narrow minded and accepts people for [who] they are, no matter what sexuality they are. If this pope sends a strong anti-gay message, he may in fact go against human rights laws. Laws are being passed all over Europe to protect against attacks on people's sexuality.
Andy Snook; London, England
I think the major issue the pope will have to deal with will be relationships between the Islamic and the Christian worlds.
Rosalia; Madrid, Spain
He has to deal with the health problems, first of all AIDS. Connecting with it, he has to supervise the use of condoms.
Janos Pinter; Budapest, Hungary
The next pope will face the real world, the degrading of American values, the fall of real democracy, the luxury and comfort of Vatican being fairly criticized, the cold barrier between the Catholic church and the people. The next pope might try to make the church what it was meant to be: people trying to help other people, a non-political, non-financial institution.
Marinescu Alexandru; Ramnicu Valcea, Romania
The next pope's biggest problem: Pope John Paul II and his extraordinary life. He, [the new pope] will have to face comparisons and it will be hard to find someone at [the former pope's] level.
Zidaru Alina; Pitesti, Romania
I think the next pope will have to be challenged with how to keep and maintain the doctrines of the Catholic church. The church, though committed to world peace, has a greater duty in providing spiritual succor to its believers. Striking a balance between contributing to world peace and ensuring the church is not being politicized is a big achievement for the last pope and the next pope will, of course, be spiritually guided to be able to achieve this in today's evil-ridden world.
Campbell; Manchester, United Kingdom
I think that initially his most difficult task will be living up to the reputation which his predecessor left him. The difficult issue of growing tension in the world due to fundamentalist Islamic beliefs and tradition which will and has definitely interfered with Christian society must be dealt with, as Pope John Paul II had attempted. An additional issue remains homosexuality tolerance within the Church. It cannot continue to be ousted and denied. Another issue remains women's role in the church, which also has been oppressed and dominated in the past.
Susan Backhaus; Bremen, Germany
The new pope will have to face, in one hand, a world that is in great need of values and traditional Christian behaviors, and on the other hand, a group of liberals and critics that want a complete change of such behaviors.
Jorge Garcia-Cruz; The Hague, Netherlands
The greatest challenge for the next pope will be the approval of birth-control means to curb the population growth specially on the underdeveloped world and avoid diseases such as AIDS at the worldwide level.
Sandri-Berlingeri; Paris, France
