Religious Leaders & Institutions

short readsOct 3, 2014

Vatican synod on family highlights discord between church teachings and U.S. Catholics’ views

A Vatican synod on the family comes at a time when most American Catholics say they disagree with their church’s teachings on issues such as birth control and divorce.
short readsSep 9, 2014

The divide over ordaining women

Only 11% of American congregations were led by women in 2012, according to press reports of an upcoming National Congregations Study survey. That figure hasn’t changed since 1998.
reportAug 12, 2014

6 Facts About South Korea’s Growing Christian Population

Pope Francis traveled to South Korea in August for Asian Youth Day, making his third international trip as pontiff. He visited a country that has experienced considerable religious change in recent decades. Here are six facts about Christianity in South Korea.
short readsAug 12, 2014

6 facts about South Korea’s growing Christian population

Pope Francis will travel to South Korea next week for Asian Youth Day, making his third international trip as pontiff. Here are six facts about Christianity in South Korea.
short readsAug 8, 2014

U.S. nuns face shrinking numbers and tensions with the Vatican

The total number of nuns, also called religious sisters, in the United States has fallen from roughly 180,000 in 1965 to about 50,000 in 2014 – a 72% drop over those 50 years.
short readsMar 28, 2014

Data Feed: Global migration patterns, divorce among Baby Boomers, pope popularity

A daily roundup of fresh data from scholars, governments, think tanks, pollsters and other social science researchers.
short readsMar 10, 2014

Is the Mormon Church expanding the role of women?

Pew Research Center surveys show that Mormons are more supportive of traditional gender roles for women, and against allowing women to be priests, but the Church is taking some steps to expand women’s roles.
short readsMar 6, 2014

Data Feed: Pope’s first year, SAT trends, women in parliament

A daily roundup of fresh data from scholars, governments, think tanks, pollsters and other social science researchers. Politics Why Republicans should be worried about 2016, The Washington Post Secretary of State John Kerry’s favorability rising in U.S., Gallup Obama’s approval hits new low, topline, Fox News Republicans resistant to Christie for 2016 bid, Washington Post/ABC […]
reportMar 6, 2014

How U.S. Catholics View Pope Francis: In Their Own Words

Each Wednesday and Saturday evening, Naomi Magel and her husband attend Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Elgin, Texas. After the service, the couple takes their pastor, the Rev. George Joseph, out for something to eat. Over the past year, one subject has come up in conversation again and again. “We talk about Pope […]
reportMar 6, 2014

U.S. Catholics View Pope Francis as a Change for the Better

One year into his pontificate, Pope Francis remains immensely popular among American Catholics and is widely seen as a force for positive change within the Roman Catholic Church. More than 80% of U.S. Catholics say they have a favorable view of the pontiff.