Catholicism Archives

short readsJul 30, 2013

Before pope’s comments, Latin American Catholics expressed acceptance of homosexuality

Pope Francis made headlines yesterday in response to a question about the supposed “gay lobby” in the Vatican. The pope reportedly reaffirmed the Roman Catholic Church’s position that while homosexual acts were sinful, orientation was not. But he added, “If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge […]
short readsJul 23, 2013

On first trip as pope, Francis visits Brazil for World Youth Day

Out of the more than 120 million Catholics in Brazil, 32.6 million are between 15 and 29 years old.
reportJul 18, 2013

Brazil’s Changing Religious Landscape

As young Catholics gather in Brazil, awaiting Pope Francis’ visit in celebration of World Youth Day, an analysis of census data finds that the share of Brazil’s population that identifies as Catholic has been dropping steadily in recent decades. Over the same period, the percentage of Brazilians who belong to Protestant churches has been rising.
short readsJul 11, 2013

American Catholics want Pope Francis to address abuse scandal

As Pope Francis begins to address issues facing the church, Pew Research Center surveys of American Catholics finds that seven-in-ten think it’s important for the church to address the sex-abuse scandal.
reportJun 27, 2013

Canada’s Changing Religious Landscape

As Canadians prepare to celebrate Canada Day on July 1, a new Pew Research Center analysis of Canadian census and survey data finds that more Canadians belong to minority faiths than ever before. In addition, the number of Canadians with no religious affiliation has been rising, and attendance at religious services has been dropping.
short readsJun 26, 2013

Many American Catholics at odds with Vatican on homosexuality

Four-in-ten Catholics say there is “a lot” of conflict between their personal religious beliefs and homosexuality.
reportApr 3, 2013

U.S. Catholics Express Favorable View of Pope Francis

In the early days of Pope Francis’ papacy, more than eight-in-ten U.S. Catholics (84%) say they have a favorable impression of the new pontiff, including 43% who express a very favorable view.
reportMar 18, 2013

Latin America’s Catholics in the Spotlight as Pope Francis is Installed

Latin America’s share of the global Catholic population has increased over the past century, according to Pew Research Center estimates, but the portion of the region’s population that is Catholic has declined.
reportMar 18, 2013

U.S. Catholics Happy with Selection of Pope Francis

In a new Pew Research Center poll, nearly three-quarters of U.S. Catholics say they are happy with the selection of Pope Francis. But they are divided over how big a change he represents for the church.
featureMar 13, 2013

Conclave Elects Pope Francis

Pope Francis was elected on Wednesday as the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church. Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio hails from Argentina and becomes the first Latin American pontiff. According to Pew Research Center data on the distribution of the world’s Catholic population, the largest share of the Catholic population (39%) lives in Latin America and the Caribbean.