What Qualities Would You Like to See in the Next Pope?

Pope Benedict XVI became the first pope in more than 600 years to retire.

The first pre-conclave meeting is scheduled for this morning, headed by the dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Angelo Sodano.

The cardinals of the Roman Catholic church are currently meeting in Rome this week to bid farewell to Pope Benedict as well as to decide when the conclave will begin to elect the next pope.

The church has said it plans to have a new pope in place before Easter on March 31.

Speculation has already started on who might be the next pope.

Many are speculating that the next pope may hail from South America, Asia or even Africa, where there are over 185 million Catholics. Two of the frontrunners are Cardinal Peter Turkson from Ghana and Cardinal Francis Arinze of Nigeria.

What issues in the Roman Catholic Church would you like to see the next pope address? What qualities would you like to see in the next pope? Let us know in the comments section.

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