In Greece, where the majority of the population is Orthodox, 56.8% expressed their support for the union of the Churches. More than half of those surveyed had a favorable opinion of John Paul II, following his May 4-5 pilgrimage to Athens.
In the survey, published Sunday in the governmental newspaper To Vima, out of a sample of 692 people, 56.8% said they «were in favor of an eventual union of the Churches,» while 26.1% said they were opposed.
Most of those who said «yes» to union argued that the «differences between Orthodox and Catholics were not great.» Another 17.1% did not wish to reply, or had no opinion on the matter, and 59.2% said that the Holy Father´s visit to Greece was important.
