{"id":69252,"date":"2024-04-12T09:50:23","date_gmt":"2024-04-12T14:50:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/2024\/04\/12\/majority-of-u-s-catholics-express-favorable-view-of-pope-francis\/"},"modified":"2025-07-20T23:20:33","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T03:20:33","slug":"majority-of-u-s-catholics-express-favorable-view-of-pope-francis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/religion\/2024\/04\/12\/majority-of-u-s-catholics-express-favorable-view-of-pope-francis\/","title":{"rendered":"Majority of U.S. Catholics Express Favorable View of Pope Francis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-640-wide\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/religion\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_featured-jpg.webp?w=640\" alt=\"Pope Francis arrives at St. Peter's Square to lead his weekly general audience in Vatican City on March 6, 2024. (Alberto Pizzoli\/AFP via Getty Images)\" class=\"wp-image-80473\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Pope Francis arrives at St. Peter&#8217;s Square to lead his weekly general audience in Vatican City on March 6, 2024. (Alberto Pizzoli\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<div style=\"border-width:1px;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);--block-gap: inherit\" class=\"wp-block-prc-block-collapsible has-background has-ui-beige-very-light-background-color has-border-color has-ui-beige-dark-border-color\" id=\"how-we-did-this\" data-wp-interactive=\"{&quot;namespace&quot;:&quot;prc-block\\\/collapsible&quot;}\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;collapsibleId&quot;:&quot;how-we-did-this&quot;,&quot;isOpen&quot;:false}\" data-wp-class--is-open=\"context.isOpen\" data-wp-init--scroll-into-view=\"callbacks.onInitScrollIntoView\"><div class=\"wp-block-prc-block-collapsible__title\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.onClick\"><div>How we did this<\/div><button class=\"wp-block-prc-block-collapsible__icon\"><span data-wp-bind--hidden=\"context.isOpen\"><i class=\"icon icon-library__light icon__circle-plus\"><svg style=\"width: 1em; height: 1em;\"><use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/plugins\/prc-icon-library\/build\/icons\/sprites\/light.svg#circle-plus\"><\/use><\/svg><\/i><\/span><span data-wp-bind--hidden=\"!context.isOpen\" hidden><i class=\"icon icon-library__light icon__circle-minus\"><svg style=\"width: 1em; height: 1em;\"><use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/plugins\/prc-icon-library\/build\/icons\/sprites\/light.svg#circle-minus\"><\/use><\/svg><\/i><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-prc-block-collapsible__content\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pew Research Center conducted this survey to explore views on the Catholic Church and Pope Francis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For this report, we surveyed 12,693 respondents from Feb. 13 to 25, 2024, including 2,019 Catholics. Most of the survey\u2019s respondents (10,642) \u2013 including all of the survey\u2019s Catholic respondents \u2013 are members of the American Trends Panel, an online survey panel recruited through national random sampling of residential addresses, which gives nearly all U.S. adults a chance of selection. The remaining respondents (2,051) are members of three other panels: the Ipsos KnowledgePanel, the NORC Amerispeak Panel and the SSRS Opinion Panel. All three are national survey panels recruited through random sampling (not \u201copt-in\u201d polls). We used these additional panels to ensure that the survey would have enough Jewish and Muslim respondents to be able to report on their views. Jewish and Muslim respondents are not discussed in this particular report that focuses on Catholic topics, but they are discussed in <a href=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/2024\/04\/02\/rising-numbers-of-americans-say-jews-and-muslims-face-a-lot-of-discrimination\/\">other reports<\/a> based on <a href=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/2024\/03\/21\/majority-in-u-s-say-israel-has-valid-reasons-for-fighting-fewer-say-the-same-about-hamas\/\">this survey<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The survey is weighted to be representative of the U.S. adult population by gender, race, ethnicity, partisan affiliation, education, religious affiliation and other categories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For more, refer to the <a href=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/our-methods\/u-s-surveys\/the-american-trends-panel\/\">ATP\u2019s Methodology<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/religion\/2024\/04\/12\/us-catholics-methodology\/\">Methodology for this report<\/a>. Read the <a href=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/religion\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_topline.pdf\">questions used in this report<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A new Pew Research Center survey finds that 75% of U.S. Catholics view Pope Francis favorably, down 8 percentage points since we last asked this question in 2021 and 15 points below his peak favorability rating, which was 90% in early 2015.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since becoming pope in 2013, Francis often has received favorable ratings from 80% or more of U.S. Catholics. He generally has been viewed more positively than his immediate predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, but less positively than Benedict\u2019s predecessor, Pope John Paul II.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-640-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/religion\/2024\/04\/12\/majority-of-u-s-catholics-express-favorable-view-of-pope-francis\/pr_2024-04-12_catholics_0-01-png\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-80420\"><img data-dominant-color=\"e1e4e6\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #e1e4e6;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-01.png?resize=480,369 480w, https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-01.png?resize=782,601 782w, https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-01.png?resize=960,738 960w, https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-01.png?resize=1200,923 1200w, https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-01.png?resize=1280,984 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"492\" width=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-01.png?w=640\" alt=\"A chart showing three-quarters of U.S. Catholics rate Pope Francis favorably\" class=\"wp-image-80420 not-transparent\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">(Benedict\u2019s favorability ratings varied between 67% and 83% during his pontificate. Upward of 90% of U.S. Catholics expressed favorable views of John Paul II on the three occasions that the Center asked about him in polls between 1987 and 1996.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-420-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/religion\/2024\/04\/12\/majority-of-u-s-catholics-express-favorable-view-of-pope-francis\/pr_2024-04-12_catholics_0-02-png\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-80424\"><img data-dominant-color=\"f1f1f1\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #f1f1f1;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-02.png?resize=480,514 480w, https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-02.png?resize=782,838 782w, https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-02.png?resize=840,900 840w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"450\" width=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-02.png?w=420\" alt=\"A chart showing large partisan divide in U.S. Catholics\u2019 opinions of\nPope Francis\" class=\"wp-image-80424 not-transparent\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The partisan gap in views of Pope Francis is now as large as it\u2019s ever been in our surveys. Roughly nine-in-ten Catholics who are Democrats or lean toward the Democratic Party hold a positive view of him, compared with 63% of Catholics who are Republicans or lean Republican.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Regardless of their partisan leanings, most U.S. Catholics regard Francis as an agent of change. Overall, about seven-in-ten say the current pope represents a change in direction for the church, including 42% who say he represents a <em>major<\/em> change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-640-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/religion\/2024\/04\/12\/majority-of-u-s-catholics-express-favorable-view-of-pope-francis\/pr_2024-04-12_catholics_0-03-png\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-80428\"><img data-dominant-color=\"e0e8ec\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #e0e8ec;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-03.png?resize=480,147 480w, https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-03.png?resize=782,239 782w, https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-03.png?resize=960,294 960w, https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-03.png?resize=1200,368 1200w, https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-03.png?resize=1280,392 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"196\" width=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-03.png?w=640\" alt=\"A chart showing 4 in 10 U.S. Catholics see Pope Francis as major change for the church\" class=\"wp-image-80428 not-transparent\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many U.S. Catholics would welcome more change. For example, the survey finds that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>83% of U.S. Catholics want the church to allow the use of contraception.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>75% say the church should allow Catholics to take Communion even if they are unmarried and living with a romantic partner.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>69% say priests should be allowed to get married.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>64% say women should be allowed to become priests.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>54% say the church should recognize the marriages of gay and lesbian couples.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-640-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/religion\/2024\/04\/12\/majority-of-u-s-catholics-express-favorable-view-of-pope-francis\/pr_2024-04-12_catholics_0-04-png\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-80433\"><img data-dominant-color=\"dee7eb\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #dee7eb;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-04.png?resize=480,253 480w, https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-04.png?resize=782,413 782w, https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-04.png?resize=960,507 960w, https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-04.png?resize=1200,634 1200w, https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-04.png?resize=1280,676 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"338\" width=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-04.png?w=640\" alt=\"Bar chart showing majorities of U.S. Catholics support the church allowing birth control, marriage for\npriests as well as other measures\" class=\"wp-image-80433 not-transparent\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But there are also many Catholics who say the church should <em>not<\/em> take these steps. A new analysis in this report compares U.S. Catholics who favor these changes with those who oppose them. It shows that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Catholics who <em>mostly favor<\/em> a variety of changes are largely Democrats or lean Democratic (57%), and many say they seldom or never attend Mass (56%).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Catholics who <em>mostly say the church should not <\/em>take these steps are predominantly Republicans or lean Republican (72%), and many say they attend Mass at least once a week (59%).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div style=\"border-width:1px;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);--block-gap: inherit\" class=\"wp-block-prc-block-collapsible has-background has-ui-beige-very-light-background-color has-border-color has-ui-beige-dark-border-color\" id=\"how-we-worded-these-questions\" data-wp-interactive=\"{&quot;namespace&quot;:&quot;prc-block\\\/collapsible&quot;}\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;collapsibleId&quot;:&quot;how-we-worded-these-questions&quot;,&quot;isOpen&quot;:false}\" data-wp-class--is-open=\"context.isOpen\" data-wp-init--scroll-into-view=\"callbacks.onInitScrollIntoView\"><div class=\"wp-block-prc-block-collapsible__title\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.onClick\"><div>How we worded these questions<\/div><button class=\"wp-block-prc-block-collapsible__icon\"><span data-wp-bind--hidden=\"context.isOpen\"><i class=\"icon icon-library__light icon__circle-plus\"><svg style=\"width: 1em; height: 1em;\"><use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/plugins\/prc-icon-library\/build\/icons\/sprites\/light.svg#circle-plus\"><\/use><\/svg><\/i><\/span><span data-wp-bind--hidden=\"!context.isOpen\" hidden><i class=\"icon icon-library__light icon__circle-minus\"><svg style=\"width: 1em; height: 1em;\"><use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/plugins\/prc-icon-library\/build\/icons\/sprites\/light.svg#circle-minus\"><\/use><\/svg><\/i><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-prc-block-collapsible__content\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We used simple, common phrases in the survey questions about some steps that Catholics would \u2013 or would not \u2013 like to see the church take. Our goal was to make the questions easy to understand for as many respondents as possible. In some cases, the wording of the questions involved a trade-off between broad understandability and theological nuance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, one question asks whether the church should \u201callow priests to get married.\u201d This would not, strictly speaking, be a change in doctrine. The Catholic Church already allows married priests <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncronline.org\/news\/father-josh-married-catholic-priest-celibate-world\">under certain circumstances<\/a>, such as if a man was married before being <a href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/nation\/la-na-pope-married-priests-2017-story.html\">ordained in an Eastern Catholic Church<\/a>. Technically, the church considers the rule of celibacy for priests to be a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archstl.org\/priestly-celibacy-is-a-discipline-of-commitment-to-god-and-church-7441\">\u201cdiscipline\u201d rather than a doctrine<\/a>. Nonetheless, allowing parish priests to get married and continue in their duties would represent a big change in the everyday life of the church in the United States.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Similarly, another question asks whether the church should allow unmarried Catholics who \u201care living with a romantic partner\u201d to receive Communion. Actually, Catholicism has no rule against unmarried people living together. The church\u2019s teaching is that <em>sexual activity outside of marriage<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vatican.va\/content\/catechism\/en\/part_three\/section_two\/chapter_two\/article_6\/iv_offenses_against_the_dignity_of_marriage.html#:~:text=the%20sexual%20act%20must%20take,excludes%20one%20from%20sacramental%20communion.\">is a grave sin<\/a>, and that anyone \u201cconscious of a grave sin\u201d should <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vatican.va\/content\/catechism\/en\/part_two\/section_two\/chapter_one\/article_3\/vi_the_paschal_banquet.html\">not take Communion<\/a> unless they have been to confession. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yet another example concerns contraception. The survey asks whether the church should allow Catholics to \u201cuse birth control.\u201d But the church does not object to married couples using <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usccb.org\/topics\/natural-family-planning\">natural methods<\/a> (i.e., abstaining from sex during fertile periods) to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vatican.va\/content\/catechism\/en\/part_three\/section_two\/chapter_two\/article_6\/iii_the_love_of_husband_and_wife.index.html\">\u201cspace the births of their children.\u201d<\/a> Rather, the objection is to using methods that prevent the sexual act from resulting in conception, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.americamagazine.org\/content\/dispatches\/catholic-scholars-duel-over-contraception\">\u201ccondoms, hormonal birth control pills and sterilization.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These are among the key findings of a Pew Research Center survey conducted Feb. 13-25, 2024, among a nationally representative sample of 12,693 respondents, including 2,019 Catholic adults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Click below to read more information about:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#catholics-views-of-pope-francis\">U.S. Catholics\u2019 views of Pope Francis<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#perceptions-of-pope-francis-as-a-source-of-change\">Perceptions of Pope Francis as a source of change<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#views-about-the-priesthood-contraception-sexuality\">Views on the priesthood, contraception, sexuality<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 data-is-section=\"true\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;catholics-views-of-pope-francis&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"{&quot;namespace&quot;:&quot;prc-block\\\/table-of-contents&quot;}\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"catholics-views-of-pope-francis\">Catholics\u2019 views of Pope Francis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-420-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/religion\/2024\/04\/12\/majority-of-u-s-catholics-express-favorable-view-of-pope-francis\/pr_2024-04-12_catholics_0-05-png\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-80438\"><img data-dominant-color=\"d4e4eb\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #d4e4eb;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-05.png?resize=480,642 480w, https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-05.png?resize=782,1046 782w, https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-05.png?resize=840,1124 840w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"562\" width=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-05.png?w=420\" alt=\"Bar chart showing views of Pope Francis among U.S. Catholics\" class=\"wp-image-80438 not-transparent\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 75% favorability rating for Pope Francis by U.S. Catholics represents a decrease of 8 points from the last time we asked this question, in September 2021. Then, 83% said they viewed him mostly or very favorably.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The overall drop in favorability reflects growing dissatisfaction with the current pope among Catholics who identify as Republicans or independents who lean toward the Republican Party. Fully 35% of Catholic Republicans and Republican leaners now say they have an <em>unfavorable<\/em> view of Pope Francis, compared with just 7% of Catholic Democrats and Democratic leaners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This survey marks the first time that more than 28% of Catholic Republicans have expressed unfavorable views of Francis in roughly a dozen times we have asked this question since his papacy began in 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While Catholic Republicans have grown more negative toward Pope Francis, the views of Catholic Democrats have barely budged over the last decade. The 89% of Catholic Democrats who now express a favorable view of the pontiff is virtually identical to the 87% who said this in our February 2014 survey. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Catholics\u2019 views on this question vary little by race, gender, age or Mass attendance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 data-is-section=\"true\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;perceptions-of-pope-francis-as-a-source-of-change&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"{&quot;namespace&quot;:&quot;prc-block\\\/table-of-contents&quot;}\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"perceptions-of-pope-francis-as-a-source-of-change\">Perceptions of Pope Francis as a source of change<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-420-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/religion\/2024\/04\/12\/majority-of-u-s-catholics-express-favorable-view-of-pope-francis\/pr_2024-04-12_catholics_0-06-png\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-80443\"><img data-dominant-color=\"bfd5e0\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #bfd5e0;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-06.png?resize=480,758 480w, https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-06.png?resize=782,1234 782w, https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-06.png?resize=840,1326 840w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"663\" width=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-06.png?w=420\" alt=\"Bar chart showing 42% of U.S. Catholics think Pope Francis represents\nmajor change in direction for the Catholic Church\" class=\"wp-image-80443 not-transparent\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As previously noted, about seven-in-ten Catholics see Pope Francis as representing either a <em>major<\/em> (42%) or <em>minor<\/em> (30%) change in the direction of the church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The view that Francis represents a big change for the church is especially pronounced among Catholics who view him unfavorably.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Among those with an unfavorable view of the pope, 54% say he represents a major change in direction for the church, while 20% say he represents a minor change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Those who view Francis favorably are less likely than those with unfavorable views to see him as a major change (41%), and more likely to say he represents a minor change (35%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 data-is-section=\"true\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;views-about-the-priesthood-contraception-sexuality&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"{&quot;namespace&quot;:&quot;prc-block\\\/table-of-contents&quot;}\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"views-about-the-priesthood-contraception-sexuality\">Views about the priesthood, contraception, sexuality<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"big-differences-between-mass-attending-catholics-and-those-who-don-t-go\">Big differences between Mass-attending Catholics and those who don\u2019t go<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Catholics who attend Mass regularly (once a week or more) are far more inclined than those who go less often to say the church should take a traditional or conservative approach on questions about the priesthood and sexuality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For instance, 65% of weekly Mass attenders say the church should not recognize the marriages of same-sex couples. And 56% say the church should not allow women to become priests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-420-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/religion\/2024\/04\/12\/majority-of-u-s-catholics-express-favorable-view-of-pope-francis\/pr_2024-04-12_catholics_0-07-png\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-80448\"><img data-dominant-color=\"e3e8eb\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #e3e8eb;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-07.png?resize=480,610 480w, https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-07.png?resize=782,994 782w, https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-07.png?resize=840,1068 840w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"534\" width=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-07.png?w=420\" alt=\"Bar chart showing most U.S. Catholics who attend Mass weekly say the\nchurch should not recognize same-sex marriages\" class=\"wp-image-80448 not-transparent\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By comparison, most Catholics who don\u2019t attend Mass weekly say the church <em>should<\/em> recognize the marriages of same-sex couples (61%) and ordain women priests (71%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are similar differences in opinion on the survey\u2019s questions about contraception, allowing priests to marry, and allowing Communion for Catholics living with a romantic partner outside of marriage. However, on all three questions, half of Catholics or more in both groups \u2013 those who attend regularly and those who don\u2019t \u2013 say the church should take these steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The survey also shows that Catholic Democrats are more likely than Catholic Republicans to say they want the church to allow married priests, women priests, contraception, same-sex marriages and access to Communion for those living with a partner outside of marriage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Older Catholics, White Catholics and Catholic women tend to be a bit more inclined than younger Catholics, Hispanic Catholics and Catholic men to say the church should make these changes, though differences by age, race and ethnicity, and gender are often modest and aren\u2019t seen on every question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-640-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/religion\/2024\/04\/12\/majority-of-u-s-catholics-express-favorable-view-of-pope-francis\/pr_2024-04-12_catholics_0-08-png\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-80452\"><img data-dominant-color=\"eeeeee\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #eeeeee;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-08.png?resize=480,339 480w, https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-08.png?resize=782,552 782w, https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-08.png?resize=960,678 960w, https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-08.png?resize=1200,848 1200w, https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-08.png?resize=1280,904 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"452\" width=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-08.png?w=640\" alt=\"Table showing in the U.S., more Catholic Democrats than Republicans say they want the church to\nallow women to become priests, recognize same-sex marriages\" class=\"wp-image-80452 not-transparent\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"trends-over-time\">Trends over time<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pew Research Center previously asked these questions (or similar questions) about the Catholic Church\u2019s approach to the priesthood and sexuality in telephone surveys conducted between 2013 and 2015. The switch in survey mode (from telephone to web) means it\u2019s important to use caution when comparing results over time.[1. Surveys conducted online versus on the phone sometimes produce different estimates resulting from the method in which the survey was conducted, a phenomenon called <a href=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/methods\/2019\/02\/07\/methods-101-mode-effects\/\">\u201cmode effect.\u201d<\/a> One potential mode effect is that when speaking to a live interviewer over the telephone, respondents are <a href=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2019\/02\/27\/what-our-transition-to-online-polling-means-for-decades-of-phone-survey-trends\/\">more likely to offer responses<\/a> that are socially desirable, or which paint them in a positive light. Additionally, in surveys conducted online, respondents may be less likely to decline to answer the question. For more on how differences in survey mode can effect responses to religion questions, read the Center\u2019s 2021 report <a href=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/religion\/2021\/01\/14\/measuring-religion-in-pew-research-centers-american-trends-panel\/\">\u201cMeasuring Religion in Pew Research Center\u2019s American Trends Panel.\u201d<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nevertheless, the data suggests there has been an increase over the last decade or so in the share of Catholics who favor allowing unmarried people who are living with a romantic partner to receive Communion. There also appears to be a slight increase in the share of Catholics who say the church should allow birth control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The shares of Catholics who say the church should allow priests to get married, allow women to become priests and recognize the marriages of gay and lesbian couples are in the same ballpark as they were a decade ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-640-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/religion\/2024\/04\/12\/majority-of-u-s-catholics-express-favorable-view-of-pope-francis\/pr_2024-04-12_catholics_0-09-png\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-80458\"><img data-dominant-color=\"f2f2f2\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #f2f2f2;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-09.png?resize=480,245 480w, https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-09.png?resize=782,398 782w, https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-09.png?resize=960,489 960w, https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-09.png?resize=1200,611 1200w, https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-09.png?resize=1280,652 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"326\" width=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-09.png?w=640\" alt=\"Table showing trends in U.S. Catholics\u2019 views about birth control, the priesthood and sexuality\" class=\"wp-image-80458 not-transparent\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"summing-up-views-about-the-catholic-church-s-approach-to-priesthood-sexuality\">Summing up views about the Catholic Church\u2019s approach to priesthood, sexuality<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-420-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/religion\/2024\/04\/12\/majority-of-u-s-catholics-express-favorable-view-of-pope-francis\/pr_2024-04-12_catholics_0-010-png\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-80462\"><img data-dominant-color=\"cadce5\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #cadce5;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-010.png?resize=480,904 480w, https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-010.png?resize=782,1473 782w, https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-010.png?resize=840,1582 840w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"791\" width=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-010.png?w=420\" alt=\"Bar chart showing the summary scale of U.S. Catholics\u2019 responses to\nquestions about birth control, priesthood, sexuality\" class=\"wp-image-80462 not-transparent\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We created a scale to summarize U.S. Catholics\u2019 views about whether the church should or should not do the following things:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Allow Catholics to use birth control<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Allow Catholics to take Communion even if they are unmarried and living with a romantic partner<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Allow priests to get married<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Allow women to become priests<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Recognize the marriages of gay and lesbian couples<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Overall, 61% of Catholics mostly say the church <em>should<\/em> take these steps, while 15% of Catholics mostly say the church should <em>not<\/em>. About a quarter express mixed views, saying the church should do some of these things but not others.[2. The \u201cMostly say the Catholic Church should do these things\u201d group includes Catholics who answer four or five of these questions by saying \u201cshould,\u201d as well as those who answer \u201cshould\u201d three times as long as they didn\u2019t say \u201cshould not\u201d to more than one of the questions. The \u201cMostly say the Catholic Church should NOT do these things\u201d group includes Catholics who answer four or five of these questions by saying \u201cshould not,\u201d as well as those who answer \u201cshould not\u201d three times as long as they didn\u2019t say \u201cshould\u201d to more than one of the questions. Catholics who gave a more even mix of \u201cshould\u201d and \u201cshould not\u201d responses are coded as \u201cHave mixed views.\u201d People who declined to answer three or more of these five questions are excluded from the analysis.]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Weekly Mass attenders are much more likely than those who go less often to say the church should not do these things. Even among weekly Mass-goers, though, roughly one-third mostly say the church should allow contraception, marriage for priests, women\u2019s ordination to the priesthood, Communion for couples living together outside of marriage, and recognition of same-sex marriages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Catholic Democrats and Democratic leaners are much more likely than Catholic Republicans and Republican leaners to say the church mostly should bring about these changes. Meanwhile, Catholic Republicans are more likely than Catholic Democrats to say the church mostly should not take these steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"profile-of-catholics-by-their-views-on-whether-the-church-should-should-not-allow-contraception-marriage-for-priests-and-more\">Profile of Catholics by their views on whether the church should\/should not allow contraception, marriage for priests, and more<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another way to analyze these findings is to flip the lens and analyze the data from the other direction \u2013 to ask: Who are the Catholics who mostly say the church should <em>not<\/em> allow contraception, marriage for priests, women\u2019s ordination, Communion for cohabiting couples or recognition of same-sex marriages? And who are the Catholics who mostly say the church <em>should<\/em> do these things?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Among Catholics who mostly say the church should <em>not<\/em> do these things:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>59% say they attend Mass at least once a week.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>72% identify with or lean toward the Republican Party.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By contrast, among Catholics who mostly say the church <em>should<\/em> do these things:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>56% say they seldom or never attend Mass.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>57% identify with or lean toward the Democratic Party.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The share of White Catholics in the \u201cmostly should not\u201d category is modestly lower (at a 90% confidence level) than the share of White Catholics in the \u201cmostly should\u201d category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And the share of men in the \u201cmostly should not\u201d category is modestly higher (at a 90% confidence level) than the share of men in the \u201cmostly should\u201d category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-640-wide is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/religion\/2024\/04\/12\/majority-of-u-s-catholics-express-favorable-view-of-pope-francis\/pr_2024-04-12_catholics_0-011-png\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-80468\"><img data-dominant-color=\"f2f2f2\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-011.png?resize=480,620 480w, https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-011.png?resize=782,1009 782w, https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-011.png?resize=960,1239 960w, https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-011.png?resize=1200,1549 1200w, https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-011.png?resize=1280,1652 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"826\" width=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/PR_2024.04.12_Catholics_0-011.png?w=640\" alt=\"Table showing the profile of U.S. Catholics who say the church should or should not allow\ncontraception, marriage for priests, ordination for women, and more\" class=\"wp-image-80468 not-transparent\" style=\"--dominant-color: #f2f2f2; width:640px;height:auto\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Most say Francis represents change in the church. And many say the church should allow priests to marry and let Catholics use birth control.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":675,"featured_media":80473,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"sub_headline":"But his ratings have dipped since 2021 and become politically polarized over the past decade","sub_title":"But his ratings have dipped since 2021 and become politically polarized over the past decade","_prc_public_revisions":[],"_ppp_expiration_hours":0,"_ppp_enabled":false,"ai_generated_summary":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"apple_news_api_id":"","apple_news_api_revision":"","apple_news_api_created_at":"","apple_news_api_modified_at":"","apple_news_api_share_url":"","apple_news_api_pending":"","apple_news_is_preview":false,"apple_news_is_hidden":false,"relatedPosts":[{"key":"_zd7qsenja","link":"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2024\/04\/12\/9-facts-about-us-catholics\/","postId":327745,"title":"9 facts about U.S. Catholics","date":"2024-04-12T09:42:55","label":"Short Reads"},{"key":"_x6lxg51fx","link":"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2023\/09\/28\/the-pope-is-concerned-about-climate-change-how-do-us-catholics-feel-about-it\/","postId":422781,"title":"The pope is concerned about climate change. 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