Many Catholics ready for change

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Now that all the cardinals are in Rome, the Catholic Church is one step closer to a new pope. The conclave is set to begin on Tuesday, to determine who will be the next holy leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. 

All around the world eyes are on the Vatican, where cardinals are just days away from the start of this historic conclave. But the spotlight is not just on who the next elected pope will be, but also what kind of impact his leadership will have on the Catholic Church.

In a new poll from Quinnipiac University 55 percent of Catholic voters say they believe the next pope should move the church in a new direction.

“These rules aren't changing to keep up with how the world is changing,” said William Bettley of Hamden, Connecticut.

Some Catholics' views are changing, as well. Sixty-four percent of those polled Catholic voters think the new pope should relax the church ban on contraception. And many Catholics don't seem to be as opposed to gay marriage as they were years ago.

“I think in any religion you'll find as time goes on, adaptions are made because it's necessary as times change and people change. I believe that at the very least, married priests will eventually be allowed. Otherwise, priests will become fewer and fewer,” said Jessica Ginepero of Granby.

Others, however, say the Catholic Church is built and thrives on tradition.

“I think they're going to stick with what they've been sticking with for hundreds of years. I don't think they're going to change, especially over at the Vatican. That's just the way it is. I don't think they're going to do anything liberal or dramatic,” said Andrew Moore of West Springfield.

A strong majority--81% of the Catholic voters polled say that the next pope needs to do more to combat sexual abuse of young people by priests.