A new study has found that younger American Catholic priests are more conservative than their older counterparts.

The National Study of Catholic Priests, released yesterday by Catholic University and conducted by the Gallup Poll, also found that younger clergy were less confident in the U.S. hierarchy while remaining strongly supportive of Pope Leo XIV.

The survey, which included more than 1,000 priests from across the United States, also highlighted a sharp generational divide in theology, politics, and pastoral priorities.

Among priests ordained before 1975, 70 percent described themselves as progressive, while just 8 percent of those ordained since 2000 did so.

In contrast, 70 percent of younger priests identified as conservative or orthodox.

When it came to political views, 61 percent of older priests said they were liberal, compared with only 10 percent of younger clergy. More than half of younger priests—51 percent—identified as conservative.

Younger priests were more likely to prioritize Eucharistic devotion, while older clergy focused on issues such as climate change, immigration, and social justice.

Confidence in church leadership also varied. Eighty-six percent of all priests expressed strong confidence in Pope Leo XIV, but only 52 percent said they trusted their own bishop.

Trust in the wider U.S. hierarchy was even lower, at 27 percent.

The report also noted that younger priests were more likely to feel lonely and burdened by expectations that extended beyond their spiritual calling.