American Catholics' Views on the Next Pope: Polling Data

Papal Conclave and Catholic Sentiment

• ⛪ Cardinals are gathering in Vatican City for a secretive ritual called a conclave to select the next pope.
• 📺 Billions are expected to watch for the signal of white smoke, indicating a new pontiff has been chosen.

Pope Francis's Legacy and Direction

• 👍 A wide approval exists among U.S. Catholics for the direction Pope Francis has led the church.
• ➡️ Four in 10 Catholics believe the next pope should continue Pope Francis's teachings.
• 📉 Before Pope Francis, fewer Catholics felt the church was in touch with their needs; this number has increased to a majority during his papacy.

Desired Papal Qualities and Origins

• 🗣️ Almost two-thirds of Catholics want the next pope to speak out on world political affairs.
• 🇺🇸 When asked about the origin of the next pope, a significant portion of U.S. Catholics indicated a preference for a U.S. pope, though many also stated origin is not important.
• 🌍 The distribution of cardinal electors shows a strong presence from Europe, particularly Italy, with a notable number from North America, including the U.S.