Russians say Benedict XVI resigned because of his old age and poor health, but not because of the Vatican intrigues. The share of Russians who can call the new pontiff correctly is 19%.
MOSCOW, March 28, 2013. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the information concerning the following issues: How well are Russians informed about the Pope Benedict XVI`s abdication? How do they regard his act? Why did he resign? Do Russians know the name of the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church?
Most of Russians are aware of the abdication of Pope Benedict XVI (88%): 40% are well informed (basically, followers of religions other than the Orthodox Christianity – 46%); 48% heard something. Ten percent of respondents heard about it for the first time from the interviewer; those who are unaware are mostly young respondents (16%) and Russians with low level of education (28%).
Those who are aware say that Pope Benedict did it because of the poor state of his health and his old age (44%). Rarer respondents cite intrigues and conflicts in Vatican (8%). Five percent believe that Pope Benedict XVI got tired to perform his duties; 3% say that he cannot fulfill his duties. Some respondents say that Pope was depressed because of the spreading homosexuality and gay marriage (3%). The share of those who do not know the reasons behind the Pope`s resignation is 32%.
Pondering over the abdication of Pope Benedict, most of Russians mention that any other person has the right to live the way he wants and to resign (76%). Those who share this stance are respondents with low level of education (86%). Sixteen percent of Russians oppose them stating that Pope is not an ordinary man, and he cannot resign; those who think so are often non-believers (19%).
More than one-third of Russians are aware of who is the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church (36%), but only 19% name him correctly (Francis). The rest of respondents know that he comes from Argentina (7%); he is a cardinal from Latin America (2%); he is modest, and he does not accept luxury (3%). Two percent of Russians named him wrongly – Francesco; 1% say wrongly that he comes from Brazil.
The initiative Russian opinion polls were conducted on March 16-17, 2013. 1600 respondents were interviewed at 138 sampling points in 46 regions of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.
At the end of February Pope Benedict XVI resigned. Did you hear about that? (close-ended question, one answer) | ||||
| Total respondents | Orthodox Church followers | Followers of other religions | Hesitating between faith and unbelief, non-believers |
I am well aware of that | 40 | 41 | 46 | 31 |
I heard something but I do not know any details | 48 | 49 | 35 | 56 |
I hear about that for the first time | 10 | 9 | 16 | 11 |
Hard to tell | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
In your opinion, what is the main reason behind the Pope`s resignation? (open-ended question, one answer, % of those who know about the Pope`s resignation) | |
Diseases, old age | 44 |
Inner conflicts, intrigues in Vatican | 8 |
Tired of his duties | 5 |
Depressed because of the spreading homosexuality and same-sex marriage | 3 |
Failed to fulfill his duties | 3 |
Scandals around him | 2 |
He was forced to resign | 1 |
Corruption among priests | 1 |
He acted in all good conscience; he was conscience-stricken | 1 |
Hard to tell | 32 |
Some believe that Pope is not an ordinary man; he cannot resign no matter what happens. Others believe that Pope is an ordinary man; he can live the way he wants, and Pope has the right to resign. What statement is closer to yours? (close-ended question, one answer) | ||||
| Total respondents | Orthodox Church followers | Followers of other religions | Hesitating between faith and unbelief, non-believers |
The first one: Pope cannot resign; this is wrong | 16 | 16 | 10 | 19 |
The second one: Pope is an ordinary man; he can act the way he wants; there is nothing bad in his abdication | 76 | 77 | 77 | 72 |
Hard to tell | 9 | 7 | 13 | 9 |
Do you know the name of the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church, who he is and what he is known for? (open-ended question, one answer) | |
|
|
Francis | 19 |
Argentinean | 7 |
Ordinary man; against luxury, modest | 3 |
Cardinal from Latin America | 2 |
Francesco | 1 |
From Brazil | 1 |
Other | 1 |
I know but I cannot name him | 2 |
No, I do not know | 64 |
Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!