Poll: More Catholics Say Church Is In Touch Since Pope Francis
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Catholics appear to be feeling more of a connection to the church since the beginning of Pope Francis' papacy, according to a new CBS News poll.
The poll found that 48 percent of Catholics feel the church is in touch with their needs while 43 percent say the church is out of touch.
Last year before Francis became pope, 39 percent of Catholics said the church was in touch compared to 53 percent who said the church was out of touch, CBS 2's Scott Rapoport reported.
"I wouldn't say more in touch. I'd say the church is just awakening to modern life to modern circumstances," said Jackie Kuehn of WestChester, Pa. "I think he's projected himself as a very warm person a very caring person."
There do seem to be some differences in the Catholic community. According to the survey, most Catholics who attend church weekly or nearly every week say the church is in touch with their needs.
Of those who attend less regularly, only 42 percent feel the same way.
Fresh off the pope's meeting with President Barack Obama at the Vatican, when Catholics were asked who they would most like to meet, by nearly 2 to 1 margin they said the pope.
For more on the poll, click here.
Check Out These Other Stories From CBSNewYork.com: