Papa B, we love thee

Poll finds strong approval for Pope Benedict, Catholic tradition

A woman prays in a pew at a Catholic shrine in Champion, Wis., in October. New data from the Pew Research Center shows many U.S. Catholics have a favourable opinion of the Pope. CNS photo / Darren Hauck, Reuters.

Catholic News Agency says that as the Feb. 28 resignation of Pope Benedict XVI approaches, the vast majority of U.S. Catholics have a favourable view of the Pontiff, and the majority support traditional Catholic teaching as well.

According to a recent survey by Pew Research Center, 74 per cent of U.S. Catholics "express a favourable view of the Pope." This rating is similar to one from March 2008, when about three in four Catholics held a "very" or "mostly" favourable opinion of the Pope shortly before his visit to the U.S.

Pope Benedict has been regarded favourably throughout his entire papacy, with approval ratings among U.S. Catholics ranging from 67-83 per cent.

For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.