Pope will find a spiritual nation during his U.S. visit, says survey

WASHINGTON — Pope Benedict XVI will find a spiritual nation when he visits the United States in April, according to a new national survey commissioned by the Knights of Columbus. The survey, conducted by the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., found that "Americans are interested in hearing how God, religion and spirituality may be incorporated into their daily lives." The results were released by Supreme Knight Carl Anderson March 25 at the National Press Club in Washington. His new book, "A Civilization of Love: What Every Catholic Can Do to Transform the World," published by HarperOne, debuted the same day. By a ratio of more than 4-to-1, the survey said, Americans have a favorable opinion of Pope Benedict; 58 percent of those surveyed said they view him favorably, compared with 13 percent who have an unfavorable opinion. Seventeen percent said they have never heard of him. Sixty-five percent of Americans have a favorable opinion of the Catholic Church, compared to 28 percent who have an unfavorable view.

© 2008 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops