Pope Francis and public opinion: Key findings from our surveys
At least 80% of Catholics have expressed a favorable opinion of Pope Francis in 10 of the 15 U.S. surveys in which we have asked about the pope since 2013.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Pope Francis
All
Pope Francis
Publications
Filtering by:
Reset
-
-
Many Catholics in the U.S. and Latin America Want the Church to Allow Birth Control and to Let Women Become Priests
Views vary on other ideas, such as recognizing same-sex marriages. Most see Pope Francis as a change in the church’s direction, and he’s broadly popular.
-
How people in Latin America and the U.S. view Pope Francis
Pope Francis is broadly popular in much of Latin America and the U.S., but favorability has fallen in the Latin American countries surveyed.
-
Majority of U.S. Catholics Express Favorable View of Pope Francis
Most say Francis represents change in the church. And many say the church should allow priests to marry and let Catholics use birth control.
-
Under Pope Francis, the College of Cardinals has become less European
Pope Francis’ picks for the College of Cardinals have tilted the leadership structure away from its historic European base and toward countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
-
Fast facts as Biden meets with Pope Francis
Here are some recent survey findings about Joe Biden, the pope, the debate over whether the president should receive Communion, and more.
-
Two-thirds of U.S. Catholics unaware of pope’s new restrictions on traditional Latin Mass
Weekly Mass-goers and Catholic Republicans express higher levels of disapproval of the pope’s new restrictions.
-
Americans, including Catholics, continue to have favorable views of Pope Francis
63% of U.S adults have a “very” or “mostly” favorable opinion of Pope Francis, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in March.
-
Three-quarters of U.S. Catholics view Pope Francis favorably, though partisan differences persist
Americans’ opinions of Pope Francis have rebounded slightly after hitting an all-time low almost two years ago in the wake of abuse scandals.
-
U.S. Catholics offer wide range of answers when asked about Francis’ most notable action as pope
About one-in-ten U.S. Catholics say Pope Francis’ most notable action has been showing humility and setting a good Christian example, while an equal share credited Francis with opening up the church and making it more accepting.
