'Pope Francis effect' boosts Church says survey

(ANSA) - Rome, January 30 - The personal charm, homespun wisdom and liberal overtures of Pope Francis have boosted the popularity of the Catholic Church among Italians to a record high, a poll said Friday.
    Francis's personal rating is a sky-high 89. 6%, far outstripping his predecessors, said Eurispes.
    This has propelled the Church up to 62.6%, compared to 49% last year and 36.6% in 2013, said the polling agency in its annual report.