A recent survey by Pew Research Center has found that the vast majority of U.S. Catholics have a favorable opinion of Pope Benedict XVI, and fewer than 10 percent want the Church to change its position on same-sex marriage, women priests, or contraception.

The Catholic News Agency (CNA) is reporting that the survey found 74 percent of U.S. Catholics “express a favorable view of the pope.” These numbers are consistent with those received throughout his papacy when his approval ratings ranged from 67 to 83 percent.

While the Pope received high grades for promoting relations with other religions, he received lower grades about his handling of the sex abuse crisis with only 33 percent saying he did an excellent or good job.

When asked about the possible successor to the Pope, 60 percent of Catholics said it would good if the next Pope came from the developing world.

Surprisingly, a majority of those polled said the next Pope should maintain traditional Catholic positions with 46 percent saying he should “move in new directions.” Those attending weekly Mass were most likely to favor tradition maintaining traditional teaching (63%).

College graduates overwhelmingly (60%) supported the idea of the next Pope moving in new directions but there was surprisingly little difference between older and younger respondents in this area.

“About 58 percent of Catholics said allowing priests to marry would be a good thing, with 35 percent opposed. Women, college graduates, non-weekly churchgoers and those over 50 were more likely to favor married priests,” CNA reports.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of all is that fewer than 10 percent called for the Church to accept same-sex “marriage,” women priests or contraception.

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