The interpretation of the earth being only a few thousand years old is a Protestant belief. Most Catholics I know and grew up with have no issues believing that the universe is 13 billion years old and that earth is 4 billion years old, both created by a divine power. The pope is solidifying a position I suspect many, if not most, Catholics already sided with. Whether or not there is any infusion of intelligent design theory I don't know since I have forgotten my Catholic past.

On the other hand, gays are another story.