2008-04-02-皮尤-On_Eve_of_Visit,_Pope_Benedict_Still_Unknown_to_Many_Americans_8页_68kb

Summary

• Overall Favorability: Pope Benedict XVI is viewed favorably by 52% of Americans, a slight decrease from 50% in August 2007. However, he remains popular, with opinions unchanged since last year.

• Ignorance and Familiarity: About 30% of Americans say they do not know enough about Pope Benedict to offer an opinion, a slight decline from 32% in last summer's survey. Many remain unfamiliar with him.

• Interfaith Relations: Mixed ratings for his efforts to promote relations with other religions; 39% rate him excellent or good, while 40% rate him only fair or poor. This is largely unchanged from August 2007.

• Catholic Views: Among U.S. Catholics, views are stronger, with 74% holding a favorable opinion, up from previous levels. Favorable views have increased, particularly among weekly church attenders, who now see him as doing well in outreach.

• Comparison to John Paul II: Pope Benedict is less well-known and less favorably viewed than his predecessor, with fewer positive assessments and more uncertainty compared to surveys conducted in the 1980s and 1990s for John Paul II.

• Ideological Views: Identity as conservative decreased to 45% from 56%, reflecting more moderate or unknown classifications among various groups. Protestants now show less certainty about his ideology.

• Partisan and Group Differences: Republicans are more positive, with 62% favorable overall, while Democrats show more criticism. Evangelical Protestants' views have shifted slightly negative, and younger Catholics show more moderate opinions.