Sacred Heart University Poll Also Finds That 14.1% Attended a Service in Memory of Pope John Paul II

FAIRFIELD, Conn.—In a recent poll, the Sacred Heart University Polling Institute found that a majority of Americans surveyed rank “expert communicator” as the most important characteristic they seek in the new pope. Work to increase Christian unity and interfaith relations ranked second, by 81% of Americans.

Pope John Paul
Many Americans, 14.1%, suggested they attended a memorial service, mass or ceremony in observance of the death of Pope John Paul II. Among Catholics surveyed, 35.7%, said they had attended a memorial service.
Importance of Characteristics for the New Pope

All survey respondents were asked to rate the importance of a number of characteristics for the new Pope. The following data presents the cumulative totals for those rating the characteristic as important. General population (composite) results are presented along with responses among Catholics only. “Don't know respondents” were removed from the data. 

• That he be an expert communicator: 87.0% (Composite); 93.2% (Catholics) 
• That he be a charismatic leader: 73.3% (Composite); 78.7% (Catholics) 
• That he increases Catholic Church charities worldwide: 55.8% (Composite); 67.4% (Catholics) 
• That he works to increase Catholic Church membership worldwide: 63.9% (Composite); 83.7% (Catholics) 
• That he be willing to set new directions for the Catholic Church: 69.5% (Composite); 82.0% (Catholics) 
• That he works to increase Christian unity and interfaith relations: 81.4% (Composite); 90.4% (Catholics)

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How the Poll Was Conducted
The Sacred Heart University Polling Institute completed 1,000 interviews with residents nationwide. All phone interviews were conducted between April 20-28, 2005. The sample was generated proportional to population contribution in all fifty states. Statistically, a sample of 1,000 completed telephone interviews represents a margin for error of +/-3.0% at a 95% confidence level. Margins for error grow as subgroups of the sample are viewed separately.

About Sacred Heart University
Sacred Heart University is the first Catholic university in the United States to be led and staffed by lay people. Located in Fairfield, Connecticut, SHU is the second-largest Catholic university in New England. With over 5,700 undergraduate and graduate students, SHU has experienced twofold enrollment growth during the past ten years due to outstanding academic programs in business, education, liberal arts and health sciences. SHU is a Division-I member of the NCAA.

Visit our website at: www.sacredheart.edu.
Contact: Funda Alp (alpf@sacredheart.edu) 

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