An overwhelming majority of U.S. Catholics say the election of Pope Francis makes them more optimistic about the Church.

The new FoxNews poll surveyed more than 1,000 Catholics between March 17-19 and found that 76 percent felt better about the future of the Catholic Church because of the election of Pope Francis. These feelings were across the board and included both practicing and non-practicing Catholics. Only 14 percent said the new pope doesn’t change how they feel about the Church, and just three percent said his election makes them feel worse.

When asked how they felt about Francis being the first pope elected from outside Europe in more than a thousand years, 61 percent of Catholics believe this is a big change for the Church with only 36 percent saying it wasn’t a big deal.

When American voters in general were asked how they felt about the election of Pope Francis, 54 percent said he makes them feel better about the future of the Church. A

© All Rights Reserved, Living His Life Abundantly®/Women of Grace®  http://www.womenofgrace.com