Washington ( CNN ) -- Most Americans -- and most American Catholics -- think Pope Benedict XVI has done a bad job of dealing with the problem of sexual abuse by Catholics priests , according to a new national poll . 59 percent of American Catholics polled have favorable views of pope . But 56 percent disapprove of how he has dealt with these cases . Allegations against pope have sprung up across Europe recently .
59 percent of American Catholics polled have favorable views of pope . But 56 percent disapprove of how he has dealt with these cases . Allegations against pope have sprung up across Europe recently .