More than half of Russian citizens (58%) characterized the current relations between the Orthodox and Catholic Churches as normal working relations and 9% find them friendly, sociologists from the Levada Center told Interfax. Nevertheless, some people believe the relations between the two Churches are currently lukewarm, tense (14%), or even hostile (2%).
The poll showed that 29% of the respondents find these relations rather close and friendly, 40% believe they should be better, and 6% believe the two Churches are close enough.
More than half of the respondents (56%) called the election of the new Pope an important event and 33% said they are not very excited about this event. Thirty-five percent of the respondents confirmed that they followed the election of the Pope, 47% said they have heard something about it, and 18% said they know nothing about it.
Speaking about the influence of the church on the state, the majority of the respondents (65%) spoke against it, and 26% spoke in favor of it. The majority of citizens are convinced this influence exists now: 48% believe this influence is just what is needed, 19% believe it is somewhat more than is needed, and another 6% believe there is too much of it. Fifteen percent of the respondents believe this influence is not enough.
Russkiy Mir Foundation Information Service
