(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – The majority of people in Italy disagree with Pope Benedict XVI’s recent comments about the HIV/AIDS epidemic, according to a poll by Demos & Pi published in La Repubblica. 52.3 per cent of respondents completely disagree with the Pope’s remarks about condoms encouraging sexual promiscuity and therefore helping to spread the virus.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – The majority of people in Italy disagree with Pope Benedict XVI’s recent comments about the HIV/AIDS epidemic, according to a poll by Demos & Pi published in La Repubblica. 52.3 per cent of respondents completely disagree with the Pope’s remarks about condoms encouraging sexual promiscuity and therefore helping to spread the virus.
An additional 21.2 per cent of respondents fairly disagree with the Catholic leader’s views.
In April 2005, Joseph Ratzinger—who acted as dean of the Sacred College of Cardinals—was elected as the new Pope and chose the name Benedict XVI. Ratzinger had served as archbishop of Munich and Freising from 1977 to 1982.
Earlier this month, Pope Benedict XVI visited Cameroon and Angola. During this trip, the pontiff said that AIDS "cannot be overcome through the distribution of condoms, which even aggravates the problems." His remarks have prompted massive criticism from political leaders, anti-AIDS activists, health educators and many others who believe condoms are an effective and necessary way to combat the spread of AIDS. Africa is the continent most affected by AIDS in the world.
On Mar. 29, French education minister Xavier Darcos decried the pontiff’s comments about condoms, saying, "To go to Africa and tell people they shouldn’t use condoms is criminal."
Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi did not join the chorus of voices criticizing Pope Benedict XVI. Last month, he declared: "Each of us has his mission, and carries out that role consistently".
Polling Data
Pope Benedict XVI recently said that condoms are not the answer to the AIDS epidemic and aggravate it by encouraging sexual promiscuity. Do you agree or disagree with the Pope?
|
Completely agree |
4.6% |
|
Fairly agree |
15.0% |
|
Fairly disagree |
21.2% |
|
Completely disagree |
52.3% |
Source: Demos & Pi / La Repubblica
Methodology: Interviews with 1,700 Italian adults, conducted in March 2009. No margin of error was provided.
