54% Have Favorable Opinion of Pope Benedict XVI
Just 25% Say Apology Needed for Speech
Pope Benedict XVI made headlines last week when remarks contained within a speech he gave in Germany were deemed offensive by the Muslim community. Sixty-one percent (61%) of respondents to a recent Rasmussen Reports survey say they’ve been following the news of the Pope’s misstep closely, including 27% saying they’ve followed the news “very closely.” Thirty-eight percent (38%) say they have not been following the story.
Just 25% of Americans believe the Pope should apologize for his comments. Forty-eight percent (48%) disagree. More than half of those surveyed (54%) now have a favorable opinion of the Pope. Twenty-two percent (22%) view him unfavorably.
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