---
"title": "U.S. Catholics Divided on Direction of Church under New Pope"
"description": "Just over half of U.S. Catholics say the next pope should maintain the traditional teachings of the church; nearly as many favor new directions."
"date": "2013-03-07"
"authors":
  -
    "name": "Bruce Drake"
    "job_title": "Former Senior Editor"
    "link": "https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/staff/bruce-drake/"
"url": "https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/short-reads/2013/03/07/u-s-catholics-divided-on-direction-of-church-under-new-pope/"
"categories":
  - "Catholicism"
  - "Pope Francis"
  - "Religious Leaders & Institutions"
---

# U.S. Catholics Divided on Direction of Church under New Pope

As the process gets underway for selection of a new pope, many American Catholics express a desire for change. For example, most U.S. Catholics say it would be good if the next pope allows priests to marry. And fully six-in-ten Catholics say it would be good if the next pope hails from a developing region, such as South America, Asia or Africa.

![](https://assets.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2013/02/next-pope.png){.align}

At the same time, many Catholics also express appreciation for the traditions of the Roman Catholic Church. While about half of U.S. Catholics (46%) say the next pope should “move the church in new directions,” the other half (51%) say the new pope should “maintain the traditional positions of the church.”

Among Catholics who say they attend Mass at least once a week, nearly two-thirds (63%) say the new pope should maintain the traditional positions of the church, while about one-third (35%) say the new pope should move the church in new directions. By contrast, among those who attend Mass less often, 54% say the next pope should move in new directions while 42% prefer to maintain the church’s traditional positions.

Six-in-ten Catholics who are college graduates say the next pope should move the church in new directions, compared with 38% who say the pope should maintain the church’s traditional positions. This balance of opinion is reversed among Catholics with some college or less education, among whom 56% want the church to maintain its traditional positions and 41% would like it to move in new directions. [Read more](https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/religion/Christian/Catholic/US-Catholics-Divided-On-Churchs-Direction-Under-New-Pope.aspx)