Benedict's US Trip Improved His Image

Majority of Americans feel better about both pope and the church

By Neil Turitz

Posted Apr 30, 2008 8:40 PM CDT

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Benedict's US Trip Improved His Image — Cardinal Edward Egan, Archbishop of New York, holds a gift that was given to him by Pope Benedict XVI before the pontiff celebrated Mass at Yankee Stadium in New York, April 20, 2008. (AP Photo/Mike Segar, Pool)

Both the pontiff and the Catholic Church got an image boost following the pope's recent US visit, reports Reuters. A post-trip poll found that 61% of Americans, both Catholics and non-Catholics, believe the pope's 6-day stint met or exceeded their expectations; 65% now have a more positive view of Pope Benedict.

While the Marist College poll also showed that 52% of Americans had a more positive view of the Catholic Church, only 32% say the church has done enough to prevent a repeat of the abuse scandal among priests; 40% cited the pope's surprise visit with the victims of that scandal as the high point of the trip.

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