CANADA
Beacon News
Markham Hislop | March 9, 2014
Recent remarks by Pope Francis are a throwback to conservative Pope Benedict XVI
Is Pope Francis the face of a new Catholic Church? Or is he just public relations window dressing on the same old medieval institution?
A new poll by Angus Reid Public Opinion suggests the pontiff’s everyman style, focus on poverty, and more modern comments on subjects like homosexuality and the afterlife have earned him a great deal of good will around the world.
According to Angus Reid, half of respondents to the survey of Canadians, Americans and Britons (Catholic and non-Catholic) view Pope Francis in a positive light, while 44 per cent have a neutral view. The rest (7%) view the Pontiff negatively.
And 58 per cent see the new Pope as having “an elevating effect on the Church.” The polling company’s release says that 36 per cent of respondents consider the strong public profile of Pope Francis as a good thing and 36 per cent say it makes the Church more interesting and relevant. Most chalk it up to his personal style (51%).
Not surprisingly, sexual abuse by Catholic clergy remains an area where respondents want to see Pope Francis take more action. Only a quarter of respondents say he’s done enough, though practicing Catholics are much more positive on this issue. Canada was the least forgiving country, America the most.
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