Americans like the direction the Catholic Church is headed — and its leader, Pope Francis, a new poll shows.
According to the
Quinnipiac national survey released Thursday, 66 percent of Americans either are "favorable" or "very favorable" of the pontiff, with the opinion cutting across gender and religion.
"Pope Francis is sparking a resurgent confidence in the Catholic Church as more Catholics, Protestants and those with no religion believe the Vatican is steering The Church in the right direction," Tim Malloy, assistant director of the poll, says in a statement.
The survey finds 69 percent of women, 63 percent of men, 61 percent of Protestants, 87 percent of Catholics and 63 percent with no religion hold an either "very favorable" or "favorable" opinion.
The poll also finds 43 percent of Americans say the Catholic Church is moving in the right direction, with Catholics most solidly supportive, at 70 percent, compared with 36 percent of Protestants and 44 percent of those with no religion.
The margin of error is plus or minus 4.8 percentage points.
The Pope, who has sometimes clashed with
American conservatives, is set for his
first-ever visit to the United States on Sept. 22.
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