Days away from Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the U.S., a sizable number of Americans are clueless about the 265th pope.

A survey released this month found the pope remains unfamiliar to a large number of Americans: Three in 10 say they do not know enough about Benedict to offer an opinion, which has not changed much since last summer (32 percent).

Eight in 10 said they have heard only a little or nothing at all about the pope.

"If you stop the average person out in the street and ask them what do they know about Benedict XVI, I suspect they could tell you, well, he seems nicer than what some people said when he was elected," said John Allen, Vatican correspondent for National Catholic Reporter.

They may also say: "He had a problem with Muslims a while back . . . and, I heard that he wears Prada shoes. And beyond that, he's pretty much a big question mark, you know?" said Allen, speaking recently at a session held by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life in Washington.

Among Americans, 52 percent view the pope favorably, according to the survey, a joint effort of the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press and the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life.

Benedict also gets mixed ratings for his efforts to promote good relations between the Catholic Church and other major religions.

The survey found that 74 percent of American Catholics view their religious leader positively, which also has not changed since August 2007.

Beth Harris of Mechanicsville is a staunch supporter. The lifelong Catholic and parishioner at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Richmond is excited about the six-day papal visit, which starts with his arrival in Washington on Tuesday and ends April 20 in New York.

"I entered the lottery to get tickets to take my son, Evan, 14, but we were not chosen," Harris said, adding that they will follow the pope's appearances on television and the Internet. "His visit shows his interest in all people, not just Catholics or those of our faith teachings but humanity, just as Jesus."

Those uninformed about the pope could educate themselves, she said.

"Technology and media constantly monitor his letters, moves and writings. There [are] people that will oppose his ideas, but he clearly follows the apostolic teachings from the early church, and our culture often times does not accept or agree."

. . .

The pope still hasn't connected with America in the same way as the American people are used to, said the Rev. Jonathan Morris, a Vatican-based priest who will be part of Benedict's entourage during his visit.

"I think people will be in for a positive surprise," said Morris, professor of ethics and media at the European University of Rome and a Fox News analyst.

For example, for Pope John Paul II to get through a large room, it might take two minutes. "He would look and smile and everyone walked away happy. Pope Benedict would take over an hour because he stops and talks to every single person. It's not great for the camera, but it's great for the people he encounters. He listens," said Morris, author of "The Promise: God's Purpose and Plan for When Life Hurts."

"The U.S. is in for a big surprise if the media can tap into and communicate his personality," he said.

The Pew survey also found the current pontiff continues to be less highly regarded than his predecessor, John Paul II.

"Pope John Paul II served for such a long time, and he was so outgoing and more open," said Maria Barrow, who belongs to St. Elizabeth Church in Richmond. "I think this pope is a much more reserved individual."

Micole Jordan, a Catholic and a senior at Highland Springs High School in Henrico County, said she thinks those who perceive Benedict negatively might be fixated on his early years.

"When looking up stuff about him, he used to be a Nazi youth and. . . . .that may not sit well with some people. Pope John Paul was a good pope, so it's a lot to live up to."

But the papal visit "means a lot to me. He's a strong figure in the Catholic faith," said Jordan, 18.

. . .

Hectic schedules may be another reason some Catholics aren't well-versed about the pope, an area priest said.

"I think that those who do not know him are the typical super-busy American Catholics who are preoccupied with raising their family, going about their life hopefully doing what God wants them to do," said Monsignor Walter Barrett, pastor of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Richmond.

"We are all bombarded with a plethora of news, and many Americans are preoccupied in their own world," said Barrett, who will be among dozens of priests attending the papal Mass this week.

Those who dislike the pope either do not know the man or his message, he said.

"The sound bites from the media are not always Christian sensitive and certainly not Catholic-friendly," Barrett said.

Tom Peterson, founder and president of Catholics Come Home, an independent, nonprofit Georgia-based charity, is optimistic that the papal visit will be an opportunity for inactive Catholics to reconnect with their faith.

Research shows that as many as 100,000 baptized Catholics in the U.S. drift away from the church each year, and only 33 percent of Catholics attend Mass weekly.

"When people listen to his message, their hearts will be warmed by it," Peterson said.
Contact Robin Farmer at (804) 649-6312 or rfarmer@timesdispatch.com.