A new poll has found that Americans are embracing Pope Francis, not only in terms of their opinion of him, but because they agree with him on a host of issues, even those deemed “controversial” by the liberal media.

A new Knights of Columbus-Marist poll, conducted after the Pope’s visit to the U.S. among both Catholics and non-Catholics, found that a majority of Americans agree with the Catholic values he presented in his various addresses to the nation.  In fact, he was able to win over some Americans to his point of view as a result of his visit.

For example, when the Pope said:

• We should support religious freedom – 85 percent agree; an additional 7 percent are more likely to agree now than prior to the papal visit. (Among practicing Catholics, these numbers are 87 percent and 7 percent, respectively.)

• We should be more respectful of the earth and the environment – 84 percent agree; an additional 7 percent are more likely to agree now. (Among practicing Catholics, these numbers are 81 percent and 10 percent, respectively.)

• We should support life at every stage of development, including for the unborn – 62 percent agree; an additional 6 percent are more likely to hold that view now. (Among practicing Catholics, these numbers are 81 percent and 5 percent, respectively.)

• We should allow people to opt out of taking actions that go against their religious beliefs – 57 percent agree; an additional 5 percent are now more likely to agree. (Among those who are practicing Catholics, these numbers are 70 percent and 6 percent, respectively.)

• We should view marriage as between one man and one woman – 55 percent agree; an additional 4 percent are now more likely to agree. (Among practicing Catholics, these numbers are 60 percent and 7 percent, respectively.)

The only issue in which there is a divide in public opinion is on the death penalty. Forty-one percent agree with the Pope that we should oppose the death penalty while 44 percent disagree. The pope managed to persuade just four percent to his viewpoint during his visit.

Overall, the Pope and his message resonated with the American public which explains why his favorability among Americans jumped from 58 percent in August to 74 percent after the visit. Among practicing Catholics, he is viewed favorably by 90 percent, up from 83 percent in August.

A majority of Americans (56 percent) also say that they feel better about their own faith because of Pope Francis’ visit, including more than 8 in 10 practicing Catholics (86 percent).

“Pope Francis’ presentation of Catholic values resonated in the minds and hearts of the American people,” said Supreme Knight Carl Anderson. “His ability to generate so much consensus on such a diverse number of issues, some of which are seen as very complicated here, speaks to his ability to preach Gospel values convincingly, in our country and in our time.”
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