76% Catholics more optimistic about church following new Pope's election: Poll

Nationally, most Catholics have said the election of Pope Francis has made them more optimistic about their church, a new poll has found.

According to Fox News Poll, nearly 76% of Catholics said Pope Francis made them feel better about the future of the Catholic Church.

The poll found that only three percent said his election made them feel worse, and another 14% said the new pope did not change how they felt.

Practicing Catholics who attend mass weekly are just as excited as Catholics who worship less regularly.

Nearly 79% said Pope Francis made them feel better about the church, two percent said worse and 13% felt the same

The new poll, released on Wednesday, also asked about Pope Francis being the first pope from outside Europe in more than a thousand years.

Nearly 61% of Catholics said that represents a big change for the church, while 36% felt it is not a big deal, the report added.