CBS NEWS POLL For release: Thursday, March 27, 2014 6:30 pm EDT

Views of Pope Francis and the Catholic Church

March 20-23, 2014

Pope Francis receives high favorable ratings from U.S. Catholics, and most (64%) think he has helped the Catholic Church. 27% think his leadership has been mixed. Not a single Catholic in the poll said Pope Francis leadership has hurt the Church. For the first time in CBS News Polls, more Catholics now say the Church is in touch with the needs of Catholics (48%) than say its out of touch (43%). The Pope is viewed positively by many Americans overall too and they are more apt to view him as a humanitarian leader for all, not just Catholics. Amid the meeting between President Barack Obama and the Pope at the Vatican, Americans were asked which of the two they would prefer to meet, 49% pick Mr. Obama, while 43% choose Pope Francis. Most Catholics pick the Pope. Pope Francis One year after becoming Pope, 68% of Catholics have a favorable opinion of Pope Francis, while a mere 1% view him unfavorably. His popularity is widespread among Catholics: similar majorities of both men (68%) and women (67%) and older and younger Catholics view him favorably. The Pope is also viewed positively among Americans overall (46%), although many dont know enough about him to offer an opinion. Views of Pope Francis (All Americans) Total Catholics 46% 68% 3 1 50 32

Favorable Not favorable Undecided/Havent heard

When compared to previous Pontiffs early on in their papacies, Pope Francis favorable rating among Catholics is higher than those of his immediate predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI (40%) as well as Pope John Paul II (59%). However, over Pope John Pauls long tenure, his favorability rose and reached 92% upon his death. Pope Francis vs. Past Popes (Among U.S. Catholics) Now 4/2006 Francis Benedict XVI Favorable 68% 40% Not favorable 1 1 Undecided/Havent heard 32 54

8/1987 John Paul II 59% 5 35

Pope Francis is viewed as more than the leader of the Catholic Church by many Americans. 46% think of him as a moral and humanitarian leader for all people, regardless of religion, while 1

fewer - 38% - say he is solely the leader of the Catholic Church. Pope John Paul II was viewed similarly early on in his tenure as Pope. Leadership Role of The Pope (All Americans) Now 11/1985 Francis John Paul II -Leader of the Catholic Church 38% 33% Moral & humanitarian leader for all 46 49 A majority of Catholics think of Pope Francis as a leader for all people, not just Catholics; and his appeal cuts across religious preference. More than four in 10 Americans of other religions and those who do not identify with any religion are also more inclined to view Pope Francis as a humanitarian leader for all. Leadership Role of Pope Francis (All Americans) Total Catholics Other Religions Leader of the Catholic Church 38% 32% 41% Moral & humanitarian leader for all 46 53 46

No Religion 37% 41

Catholics think the Church has benefited from Pope Francis leadership. Nearly two-thirds say he has helped the Church, while 27% describe his leadership as mixed. Not a single Catholic in the poll said Pope Francis leadership has hurt the Church. These views are in stark contrast to those of Pope Benedict, who stepped down last year. In February 2013, 52% of Catholics viewed his leadership as mixed; only 26% said he helped the Church. Also, more Catholics say Pope Francis has helped the Church than said that about Pope John Paul a decade ago. The Leadership of the Pope has (Among U.S. Catholics) Now 2/2013 Francis Benedict XVI 64% 26% 0 12 27 52

Helped the Church Hurt the Church Mixed blessing Catholics and Their Church

4/2002 John Paul II 43% 6 45

Catholics appear to be feeling more of a connection to their Church than in the recent past. For the first time in CBS News polling, more Catholics now say that the Catholic Church is in touch with the needs of Catholics (48%) than say it is out of touch (43%). Last year, before Pope Francis assumed the papacy, a majority of Catholics said the Church was out of touch. Catholics were more divided in their views back in 1995. Is the Catholic Church in Touch with Needs of Catholics? (Among U.S. Catholics) Now 2/2013 4/2002 9/1995 8/1987 In touch 48% 39% 40% 47% 43% Out of touch 43 53 55 47 48 2

There are some differences within the Catholic community. Most who attend religious services weekly or nearly every week think the Church is in touch with the needs of Catholics, but Catholics who go to Church less often are more divided: 47% say the Catholic Church is out of touch, while 42% think it is in touch. Is the Catholic Church in Touch with Needs of Catholics? (Among U.S. Catholics) Attend church Attend church Total every/almost week less often In touch 48% 58% 42% Out of touch 43 36 47 Catholics are also satisfied with the direction Pope Francis is taking the Church. Very few think he is taking the church in a direction that is either too liberal or too conservative. Direction Pope Francis is Taking the Church (Among U.S. Catholics) Too liberal 4% Too conservative 2 About right 82 In addition, Catholics give Pope Francis positive ratings for his handling of many issues facing the church. Majorities think he is doing an excellent or good job trying to bring more people into the Church (68%), addressing the needs of the poor (65%), and in his approach to social issues like abortion and homosexuality (55%). However, they are divided on how hes dealing with allegations of child sexual abuse by priests: 44% think he is doing an excellent or good job on this, while 46% say he is doing a fair or poor job. Similarly, Americans overall give the Pope mostly positive marks on these issues, except for the reports of sexual abuse. Just a third says he is doing an excellent or good job addressing that. Ratings of Pope Francis (Among U.S. Catholics) Excellent/Good Bring more people into the Church 68% Addressing needs of the poor 65% Approach to social issues 55% Reports of sexual abuse by priests 44% Pope Francis and President Obama Amid the meeting between President Barack Obama and the Pope at the Vatican, Americans were asked which of the two leaders they would most like to meet, 49% pick President Obama, and 43% choose Pope Francis. By a nearly two to one margin, Catholics pick Pope Francis. Politics plays some role here: most Republicans (70%) would prefer to meet the Pope, while Democrats (73%) would rather meet the President.

Fair/Poor 27 25 35 46

Who Would You Rather Meet in Person? (Among All Americans) Total Catholics Pope Francis 43% 64% President Obama 49 31 Pope John Paul II Pope John Paul II, who led the Catholic Church from 1978 to 2005, is expected to be declared a saint by the Church next month. American Catholics overwhelming support that decision 77% approve of it. Pope John Paul II Becoming a Saint (Among U.S. Catholics) Approve 77% Disapprove 16 ___________________________________________________________________________
This poll was conducted by telephone March 20-23, 2014 among a total of 1,097 adults nationwide. Data collection was conducted on behalf of CBS News by Social Science Research Solutions of Media, PA. Phone numbers were dialed from samples of both standard land-line and cell phones. The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus three percentage points. The poll included a general population sample of 1,007, plus 90 additional interviews with Catholics, for a total of 271 interviews with Catholics. The additional interviews were obtained through callbacks to people indicating they are Catholic on a previous poll. The total sample included a weight for Catholics using a target from the general population portion of the poll. The margin of error for Catholics is 8 points. The error for subgroups may be higher. Interviews were conducted in English and Spanish. This poll release conforms to the Standards of Disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

CBS NEWS POLL The Pope March 20-23, 2014 Q48. Is your opinion of Pope Francis favorable, not favorable, undecided, or haven't you heard enough about Pope Francis yet to have an opinion? ** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ** Total Catholics % % 46 68 3 1 13 6 37 26 2 -

Favorable Not favorable Undecided Haven't heard enough Refused

Q49. Do you regard Pope Francis more as the leader of and spokesman for the Roman Catholic Church, or more as a moral and humanitarian spokesman for all people regardless of their religion? Leader/spokesman for church Moral/humanitarian spokesman Both Neither Don't know/ No answer 38 46 2 1 12 32 53 6 9

Q50. In general, do you think the Catholic Church is in touch with the needs of Catholics today, or is it out of touch? *** AMONG CATHOLICS *** % 48 43 10 Feb13b % 39 53 7

In touch Out of touch Don't know/ No answer

Q51. Overall, do you think the leadership of Pope Francis has helped the Church, hurt the Church, or has it been a mixed blessing? Helped Hurt Mixed blessing Don't know/ No answer 64 27 9

Q52. Do you think Pope Francis is taking the Catholic Church in a direction that is too (liberal) for you, too (conservative) for you, or do you think Pope Francis is taking the Catholic Church in a direction that is about right? *** AMONG CATHOLICS *** % 4 2 82 12

Too liberal Too conservative About right Don't know/No answer

Q53. How would you rate the job Pope Francis is doing addressing the needs of the poor and disadvantaged excellent, good, fair, or poor? ** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ** Total Catholics % % 22 34 32 31 20 21 7 4 19 10

Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't know/No answer

Q54. How would you rate the job Pope Francis is doing trying to bring more people into the Catholic Church excellent, good, fair, or poor? Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't know/No answer 14 30 27 7 23 29 39 24 3 6

Q55. How would you rate the job Pope Francis is doing addressing reports of past sexual abuse of children by Catholic priests excellent, good, fair, or poor? Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't know/No answer 9 25 27 19 20 13 31 32 14 10

Q55a. How would you rate the job Pope Francis is doing in his approach to social issues like abortion and homosexuality excellent, good, fair, or poor? Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't know/No answer 14 28 27 13 19 18 37 28 7 10 6

Q56. Who would you rather meet in person (Pope Francis) or (President Barack Obama)? ** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ** Total Catholics % % 43 64 49 31 9 5

Pope Francis President Obama Don't know/ No answer

Q58. Pope John Paul the Second, who was Pope from 1978 to 2005, will soon be declared a saint by the Catholic Church. Do you approve or disapprove of the Catholic Church making Pope John Paul the Second a saint? *** AMONG CATHOLICS *** % 77 16 7

Approve Disapprove Don't know/No answer

Q59. Would you say you attend religious services every week, almost every week, once or twice a month, a few times a year, or never? ** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ** Total Catholics % % 27 24 10 11 14 17 28 38 21 9 1 * Unweighted 1,097 271 Weighted Margin of error 3 pts. 8 pts.

Every week Almost every week Once or twice a month A few times a year Never Don't know/No answer

Total Respondents Total Catholics

223