In the eyes of us Catholics The next pope Will be wearing big shoes (even if not red).
Most people say that the church is linked to the needs of Catholics, which is a higher view than today Pope Francis (Who wears simple black shoes) became Pope in 2013. Francis' Pope76% approval today, and most American Catholics say the church is different.
Therefore, many American Catholics will see the next pope continue the doctrine of Francis, while others will move towards those who go further.
Those who continue the doctrine of Francis are often young. Overall, Francis' Pope made them feel closer to the church than less, while American Catholics said more, Francis' Pope made them feel closer.
While it doesn't matter where most people say the next pope comes from, many of us Catholics (if there is a choice) want the next pope from the United States and their best choice comes from other countries or regions.
Hispanics (a third of American Catholics) also favor the United States, but South America, Mexico and Central America are also noted.
Most people also want the next pope to speak out on world politics.
What kind of changes are Catholics looking for?
Most American Catholics will look for a pope who supports getting the pastor married. Let women be appointed as priests; and - the vast majority - be used for the use of birth control.
But here, there are few differences between the (smaller) ordinary churchmen and the larger Catholics, who rarely or never will go.
These majority views are more driven, and the latter also says the church is disconnected from the needs of Catholics - which is probably one of the reasons they seek a new pope to support such a change.
Most American Catholics want the next pope to continue to prioritize tradition in general, even if something specific attracts the demands of change.
And they have at least some confidence (if not very big) in conclusion The Pope will be chosen to keep in touch with Catholic needs – this view is especially true among the most common attendees.
Those who think the church is currently go out The confidence of touch is quite small, that is, the meeting will choose a pope yes.
But the next pope will oversee the lay people of American Catholicism, with a clear difference in perspective among a smaller group, who said they attended Mass at least a few times a month - most do think that the church is connected - most say they only attend a few times a year or never a few times a year, and think that the church is the church is go out touch.
American Catholics say they will pay attention. Most plans focus on news about the process and choices about the pope at least somewhat close.
This CBS News/YouGov survey is a sample of 1,298 adult Catholics conducted in a nationally representative sample, living between April 30 and May 5 and 2025 and 2025 and February in the United States. Samples of attendance by gender, age, race, education and public 2023-24 Pew religious landscape research. The error margin is ±3.8 points.
