1. What do you hope to hear from Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to the United States?

2. What are your greatest concerns about the Catholic Church - locally and globally?

3. If you could sit down with the pope and ask him one question, what would it be and why?

In their own words, here's what they had to say:

"We would hope that our Holy Father would address again the need of holding up to our people the responsibility of knowing and living the morality that is taught in the Gospel and the Ten Commandments.

"We are concerned about the education of our future priests. It is well known that in some areas a reform is needed in the seminaries locally and also globally.

"Holy Father, we believe that our life of prayer as Contemplative Carmelites is a true witness in our church and is significantly important for priestly ministry and salvation of souls. However, in this present world of materialism, violence and immorality, our way of life is valued by few. Holy Father, what would you say about the future of contemplative orders in the USA and in the world?"

- Sister Maureen of the Trinity, on behalf of the Carmelite Nuns of Salt Lake City

"I hope to hear Pope Benedict XVI talk about the U.S. government so he may encourage a resolution for the legalization of immigrants in the United States and more help for lower-level economic classes.

"I'm most concerned about those brothers and sisters who are Catholic yet live like they aren't part of the church.

"If I could sit down with the pope and ask him a question, I would ask him what he thinks about the society in which we live today - one that makes us become so preoccupied with what we have and not who we are."

- Hector Lopez, a loan officer, originally from Sonora, Mexico, who lives in Salt Lake City and attends St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish in Midvale

"I hope to hear Pope Benedict's views on consumerism. As citizens of the United States, it is easy to become overly concerned with what we can buy and not concerned enough with our faith. Teenagers, especially, have the tendency to become too involved with materialistic things, rather than with what is really important in our lives. I would like to hear his view on the issue, and perhaps a proposed solution.

"My greatest concern about the Catholic Church is the ability to accept the differences in society. Birth control and homosexuality are very touchy issues. It is such an American issue because we live in a country where freedom is a right and is expected to be exercised. Catholic families live next to Protestants, Mormons and people who may not even believe in God. A "good" Catholic who goes to church every Sunday, uses natural family planning and says the rosary once a week, yet condemns others because of their beliefs seems hypocritical. Since we live in such a diverse country, it is necessary to accept others for their beliefs, just as they should accept us for ours.

"I would ask Pope Benedict about himself, personally. Pope John Paul II was very involved with the youth of the world, and people respected that because they could relate to him. Pope Benedict is much more reserved, so most people cannot connect with him on a personal level. I would probably need more than one question; I do not think I could sum up his childhood, favorite books, good friends and the rest of his incredible life with just one."

- Kelly John, a senior at Juan Diego Catholic High School, Draper

"I would like to hear statements from Pope Benedict XVI on abortion, divorce and the immigration issue during his visit to United States.

"Locally and globally, the Catholic Church has to become more committed to social justice, an area for which it has become less authoritative.

"Holy Spirit in the Catholic Church is considered the soul of the church and source of inspiration and new life. Down the centuries, it is the Holy Spirit that has brought in deeper understanding of the Scriptures and consequent meaningful changes in the church for the better. How will Your Holiness respond to the promptings and action of the Holy Spirit towards renewal in the Catholic Church during your papacy? Each pope of the Catholic Church has responded in his own way toward the promptings of the Holy Spirit."

- The Rev. Lourduraj Gally, associate pastor at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Salt Lake City, in Utah on contract from the Diocese of Chingleput in Tamil Nadu