Poll: Pope unknown to most

WASHINGTON -- Most Americans hold a favorable opinion of Pope Benedict XVI, but the vast majority confess they don't know much about him, according to a new poll.

Just weeks before Benedict's first trip to the United States as leader of the Roman Catholic church, 58 percent of Americans say they have a favorable or "very favorable" opinion of him.

But when asked how much they know about the 80-year-old German, 52 percent said "not very much," and nearly 30 percent said "nothing at all."

Benedict is to visit Washington and New York April 15-20.

Forty-two percent of Americans said they would like to attend one of Benedict's public appearances, according to the survey, which was conducted by the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion and financed by the Knights of Columbus. Sixty-six percent of Catholics said the same.

More than 70 percent of Americans look forward to hearing Benedict talk about spiritual matters such as God's presence in dally life, spiritual fulfillment and how to positively affect the world.

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