U.S. poll: Most have high opinion of pope

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y., May 19 (UPI) -- The U.S. public has a high opinion of the pope and many want to hear him address controversial issues, a poll indicates.

The poll, conducted by the Knights of Columbus in partnership with the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion in New York, shows that by a nearly 3 to 1 margin -- 59 percent to 20 percent --Americans have a favorable view of the pope. That number jumps to about 7 to 1 for American Catholics -- 76 percent to 11 percent -- the Catholic news site Zenit reported.

The poll also shows Americans approve of Pope Benedict XVI's recent trip to the Middle East, and think he is sensitive to the feelings of Jews and Muslims, by more than 2 to 1.

Americans want to hear the pope speak out about issues including abortion, stem cell research and marriage by better than 2 to 1, the poll shows.

The poll surveyed 2,078 Americans, including 521 American Catholics, March 24-31 by telephone. Results for all Americans have a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points for all Americans; plus or minus 4.5 percentage points for American Catholics.