U.S. Catholics Happy with Selection of Pope Francis

[n2doc]

POLL March 18, 2013


In the days immediately following the selection of Pope Francis as the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church, nearly three-quarters of U.S. Catholics (73%) say they are happy with his selection, including 31% who say they are very happy. One quarter of Catholics do not yet have an opinion about Francis’ selection, while just 2% express unhappiness.

Francis is the first Jesuit and the first Latin American to be elected pontiff. But in these early days, Catholics are divided over how big a change Francis represents for the church. Four-in-ten Catholics (41%) say the selection of Pope Francis represents a “major change,” while a roughly equal number (44%) see his selection as “only a minor change” for the church.



When asked about a list of possible priorities for the new pope, seven-in-ten Catholics say that addressing the sex abuse scandal should be "a top priority" for Francis. U.S. Catholics as a whole attach less importance to other possible priorities on the list. But among Catholics who say they attend Mass at least once a week, roughly equal numbers cite “standing up for traditional moral values” (65%) and “addressing the sex abuse scandal” (63%) as top priorities for the new pope. By contrast, among Catholics overall 49% say that standing up for traditional moral values should be "a top priority" for Pope Francis. Roughly four-in-ten Catholics or fewer think that spreading the Catholic faith (39%), addressing the priest shortage (36%) and reforming the Vatican bureaucracy (35%) should be top priorities for the new pope.



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http://www.pewforum.org/Christian/Catholic/US-Catholics-Happy-with-Selection-of-Pope-Francis.aspx

[goldent]

1. The opinions of Catholics were not that surprising

but I was surprised at the positive (on average) view of US adults overall.

[edhopper]

6. Given the reverential

and at times fawning coverage of the US media, why is this surprising?

[goldent]

7. It's true that the pope has gotten a lot of positive coverage

but RCC news have not been good over the last several years, and I thought people would reflect that into their feelings about the new pope.

But I'm not complaining If only 2% of US adults are unhappy with the new pope, I'll take it!

[Phillip McCleod]

2. thanks for the data. but..

i think most of us have figured that out..

on edit just noticed the bit about 70% want the priority to be addressing the abuse scandal.

that sounds mighty fine. if that could happen, and i know there are some who are optimistic though i'm not one of em, then maybe at long last the laity could get it's way.

that i would consider terming, 'a miracle'.

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. Sadly, they didn't ask them to define "traditional moral values"

I worry that far too many of those giving that reply mean "opposing same sex marriage" rather than "love your neighbour like yourself".

[n2doc]

4. I suspect that is exactly what it means

A lot of conservative Catholics out there.

[goldent]

5. Traditional moral values

means whatever the person answering the poll wants it to mean. So this response doesn't mean much at all.