Pope Francis’ big year
Pope Francis began this year as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, an Argentine archbishop. He finishes it as Time magazine’s Person of the Year.
No clear ‘Pope Francis effect’ among U.S. Catholics
The pope’s popularity hasn't yet produced a Catholic resurgence in the U.S. in terms of the share of Americans who identify as Catholic, or the share of those who report attending Mass weekly.
Vatican will seek Catholics’ input on wide range of family issues
The Vatican plans to ask a range of questions on topics related to the family, including divorce, artificial contraception and same-sex marriage.
Three-quarters of U.S. Catholics say it’s important for Pope Francis to tackle Vatican reform
Most Catholics say reforming the Vatican is an important priority for Pope Francis.
A fifth of Mormons express doubts about some church teachings
A top Mormon leader recently made headlines this week when he acknowledged that past actions by church leaders may have contributed to doubts about church teachings. About one-in-five (22%) church memberssay they find some of the church’s teachings hard to believe.
Big majority of Mormons (including women) oppose women in priesthood
Mormon leaders recently reaffirmed their position that women should not be eligible for the priesthood - a position supported by a majority of Mormons.
Majority of U.S. Catholics’ opinions run counter to church on contraception, homosexuality
Three-quarters of U.S. Catholics say the church should permit birth control, about half favor same-sex marriage and just a third (33%) say homosexual behavior is a sin.
What surveys say about worship attendance – and why some stay home
This Sunday is “National Back to Church Sunday,” a coordinated effort by more than 20,000 churches of various Christian denominations to reach out to people who rarely attend worship services. The percentage of Americans who say they “seldom” or “never” attend religious services (aside from weddings and funerals) has risen modestly in the past decade. […]
Six Months Into Papacy, Large Majority of Catholics Continue To Express Favorable View of Pope Francis
After six eventful months, Pope Francis is rated favorably by eight-in-ten U.S. Catholics (79%), largely unchanged since the days immediately following his ascension to the papacy.
Catholic leaders urge immigration reform
Some Catholic leaders have thrown their support behind changes in immigration laws, a position that is in line with the views of many U.S. Catholics.
