Pew: Pope Francis 'broadly popular' among US Catholics throughout his papacy
February 28, 2025 at 11:29 a.m.
OSV News – Pope Francis, now hospitalized with severe respiratory issues, has been "broadly popular among the nation's Catholics throughout his tenure," according to multiple surveys conducted by Pew Research over the past 12 years.
Pew has assessed U.S. Catholic opinion about the Pope since 2013, finding that "at least 80%" of the country's Catholics "have expressed a favorable opinion of him in 10 of the 15" surveys the research institute has administered on the topic.
Overall, 53% of U.S. adults regard Pope Francis either very or mostly favorably.
Pope Francis has on balance enjoyed greater popularity than his immediate predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, whose approval rating was at 67% in 2005, the first year of his pontificate; 74% in 2007, 2008 and 2013; and 84% in 2008.
In contrast, Pope Francis' ratings have ranged from 72% in 2018 to as high as 90% in 2015.
Pew's latest survey on U.S. Catholic views of Pope Francis – which polled 9,544 adults online and by phone Feb. 3-9, just days before the Pope's Feb. 14 admission to Rome's Gemelli hospital – found his approval had increased to 78%, up from 75% at the same time last year. From 2020-2021, 82%-83% of the nation's Catholics reported viewing Pope Francis favorably.
Both Pope Francis and Pope Benedict XVI were outranked in Pew's surveys by Pope John Paul II, whose ratings were 91% in 1987, and 93% in 1990 and 1996.
A pilgrim waves the U.S. flag as Pope Francis arrives to lead his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican April 30. Multiple Pew Research surveys show that the pope has been "broadly popular" among U.S. Catholics throughout his papacy. The latest survey was conducted by phone Feb. 3-9, 2025. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)At the same time, Pope Francis' overall favorable ratings are marked by what Pew called a "large partisan divide" throughout the 2013-2025 survey period.
In 2013, 84% of Republican or Republican-leaning U.S. Catholics approved of Pope Francis, compared to 77% of their Democratic or Democratic-leaning peers.
By 2018, the trend had reversed, and the gap had widened, with 83% of the latter and 61% of the former approving.
As of 2025, 88% of Democratic or Democratic-leaning U.S. Catholics view the Pope favorably, with 69% of their Republican or Republican-leaning peers expressing the same.
A February 2024 survey conducted by Pew showed that 42% of U.S. Catholics viewed Pope Francis as representing a major change in direction for the Catholic Church. Among those who regarded him unfavorably, 54% said Pope Francis marked a major change for the Church.
Still, Pope Francis' popularity spans several demographic groups among U.S. Catholics, including the following: men (79%) and women (77%); white (non-Hispanic) and Hispanic, both 78%; and ages 18-29 (79%), 30-49 (77%), 50-64 (78%), and 65 and over (78%).
In addition, the Pope is highly regarded by U.S. Catholics regardless of their level of Mass attendance, scoring approval ratings of 80% with those attending weekly or more and of 77% among those attending monthly, annually, seldom or never.
Drawing on data from both its Religion in Latin America project and Spring 2024 Global Attitudes Survey, Pew also reported that most Latin American Catholics view Pope Francis – a native of Argentina – favorably, although those shares have declined from 2013-2024.
In 2013, the Pope enjoyed a 98% rating among Argentina's Catholics, which fell to 74% as of 2024. Other downturns reported among Latin American Catholics during the same period include those in Colombia (93% to 88%), Brazil (92% to 84%), Mexico (86% to 80%), Peru (83% to 78%) and Chile (79% to 64%).
Gina Christian is a multimedia reporter for OSV News. Follow her on X @GinaJesseReina.
The Church needs quality Catholic journalism now more than ever. Please consider supporting this work by signing up for a SUBSCRIPTION (click HERE) or making a DONATION to The Monitor (click HERE). Thank you for your support.
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OSV News – Pope Francis, now hospitalized with severe respiratory issues, has been "broadly popular among the nation's Catholics throughout his tenure," according to multiple surveys conducted by Pew Research over the past 12 years.
Pew has assessed U.S. Catholic opinion about the Pope since 2013, finding that "at least 80%" of the country's Catholics "have expressed a favorable opinion of him in 10 of the 15" surveys the research institute has administered on the topic.
Overall, 53% of U.S. adults regard Pope Francis either very or mostly favorably.
Pope Francis has on balance enjoyed greater popularity than his immediate predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, whose approval rating was at 67% in 2005, the first year of his pontificate; 74% in 2007, 2008 and 2013; and 84% in 2008.
In contrast, Pope Francis' ratings have ranged from 72% in 2018 to as high as 90% in 2015.
Pew's latest survey on U.S. Catholic views of Pope Francis – which polled 9,544 adults online and by phone Feb. 3-9, just days before the Pope's Feb. 14 admission to Rome's Gemelli hospital – found his approval had increased to 78%, up from 75% at the same time last year. From 2020-2021, 82%-83% of the nation's Catholics reported viewing Pope Francis favorably.
Both Pope Francis and Pope Benedict XVI were outranked in Pew's surveys by Pope John Paul II, whose ratings were 91% in 1987, and 93% in 1990 and 1996.
A pilgrim waves the U.S. flag as Pope Francis arrives to lead his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican April 30. Multiple Pew Research surveys show that the pope has been "broadly popular" among U.S. Catholics throughout his papacy. The latest survey was conducted by phone Feb. 3-9, 2025. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)At the same time, Pope Francis' overall favorable ratings are marked by what Pew called a "large partisan divide" throughout the 2013-2025 survey period.
In 2013, 84% of Republican or Republican-leaning U.S. Catholics approved of Pope Francis, compared to 77% of their Democratic or Democratic-leaning peers.
By 2018, the trend had reversed, and the gap had widened, with 83% of the latter and 61% of the former approving.
As of 2025, 88% of Democratic or Democratic-leaning U.S. Catholics view the Pope favorably, with 69% of their Republican or Republican-leaning peers expressing the same.
A February 2024 survey conducted by Pew showed that 42% of U.S. Catholics viewed Pope Francis as representing a major change in direction for the Catholic Church. Among those who regarded him unfavorably, 54% said Pope Francis marked a major change for the Church.
Still, Pope Francis' popularity spans several demographic groups among U.S. Catholics, including the following: men (79%) and women (77%); white (non-Hispanic) and Hispanic, both 78%; and ages 18-29 (79%), 30-49 (77%), 50-64 (78%), and 65 and over (78%).
In addition, the Pope is highly regarded by U.S. Catholics regardless of their level of Mass attendance, scoring approval ratings of 80% with those attending weekly or more and of 77% among those attending monthly, annually, seldom or never.
Drawing on data from both its Religion in Latin America project and Spring 2024 Global Attitudes Survey, Pew also reported that most Latin American Catholics view Pope Francis – a native of Argentina – favorably, although those shares have declined from 2013-2024.
In 2013, the Pope enjoyed a 98% rating among Argentina's Catholics, which fell to 74% as of 2024. Other downturns reported among Latin American Catholics during the same period include those in Colombia (93% to 88%), Brazil (92% to 84%), Mexico (86% to 80%), Peru (83% to 78%) and Chile (79% to 64%).
Gina Christian is a multimedia reporter for OSV News. Follow her on X @GinaJesseReina.
The Church needs quality Catholic journalism now more than ever. Please consider supporting this work by signing up for a SUBSCRIPTION (click HERE) or making a DONATION to The Monitor (click HERE). Thank you for your support.