Bob
04-02-2005, 01:34 AM
An overwhelming majority of Americans surveyed have a favorable opinion of Pope John Paul II, according to a phone poll conducted one month ago. A CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll of 1,008 adult Americans, including 241 Catholics, found 78 percent held a favorable view of the ailing pontiff, while 11 percent held an unfavorable view of him.
John Paul has a unique relationship with the United States. He was the first pope to visit the White House -- in 1979. In 1984, the pope re-established full diplomatic relations with Washington, which were broken off by Congress in 1867. He has condemned the death penalty, the U.S.-led war against Iraq, and abortion rights.
And during a visit last year, at the height of his re-election bid, President Bush asked for the Vatican's help in getting U.S. bishops to promote his conservative social agenda.
Among Catholics polled, more than a third -- or 38 percent -- said they view the pope as one of the greatest world leaders in their lifetime. In contrast, 17 percent of non-Catholics view him that way.
The margin of error for questions asked of Catholics and non-Catholics was plus or minus 7 percentage points; otherwise, the margin was plus or minus 3 percentage points.
In a question asked of Catholics only, two-thirds of respondents said the pope's positions are about right. A third of the respondents said he is too conservative.
And your thoughts are? Try to keep this one on topic as it prolly won't last as long as he will.
John Paul has a unique relationship with the United States. He was the first pope to visit the White House -- in 1979. In 1984, the pope re-established full diplomatic relations with Washington, which were broken off by Congress in 1867. He has condemned the death penalty, the U.S.-led war against Iraq, and abortion rights.
And during a visit last year, at the height of his re-election bid, President Bush asked for the Vatican's help in getting U.S. bishops to promote his conservative social agenda.
Among Catholics polled, more than a third -- or 38 percent -- said they view the pope as one of the greatest world leaders in their lifetime. In contrast, 17 percent of non-Catholics view him that way.
The margin of error for questions asked of Catholics and non-Catholics was plus or minus 7 percentage points; otherwise, the margin was plus or minus 3 percentage points.
In a question asked of Catholics only, two-thirds of respondents said the pope's positions are about right. A third of the respondents said he is too conservative.
And your thoughts are? Try to keep this one on topic as it prolly won't last as long as he will.