Survey Reveals Catholic World to be Surprisingly Liberal on Abortion, Divorce & Pope Francis

The Catholic world seems to have been divided when it comes to their opinion about Pope Francis. The primary difference of opinion seems to be between the Vatican and the common Catholic all over the world. While the Vatican, along with several veteran Christian leaders around the world, has been highly critical about the pontiff's way of handling several issues like homosexuality, abortion and poverty; the majority of the Catholic population is apparently much more impressed with the Pope's unconventional approach of reforming the church.

Eighty-seven per cent of people all over the world believe that Pope Francis is doing an excellent or good job, while 89 per cent of people in Europe, 85 per cent in Africa, 88 per cent in Latin America and 89 per cent in the U.S. gave positive reviews on Pope Francis way of handling issues. Merely 6 per cent of people all over the world think he is doing a mediocre or poor job.

The survey was conducted by Univision. Over 12,000 people from five countries were asked about various Catholic issues, including their view on contraception, abortion and gay marriage. The results may surprise many as most people tend to believe that the Vatican's view is representative of the views of all Catholics in the world, while it may not be correct all the time. Here is a striking example.

Fifty-eight per cent of people disagree with the Catholic Church when it comes to their views on divorce. They do not agree that any "individual who has divorced and remarried outside of the Catholic Church, is living in sin which prevents them from receiving Communion". The disagreement is the strongest in Europe where 75 per cent disagree on the issue.

Equal number of people is against/in favour of Catholic priests getting married, while 50 per cent of people around the world believe that Catholic priests should be allowed to get married. The view is again strongest in Europe where 70 per cent of people find it is OK for Catholic priests to get married, while only 21 per cent people in Philippines are in favour of that.

Forty-five per cent think women should be allowed to become Catholic priests, 66 per cent think that abortion should be allowed in all/some cases, 78 per cent people are in favour of contraceptives. Another 30 per cent of people are in favour of gay marriages.

Read the complete set of results HERE.