Pope Leo XIV enjoys broad support among Catholics in the Americas, yet his approval ratings have not reached the heights of his predecessor's early tenure, according to a Pew Research survey published today. In six Latin American countries, most Catholics view the pontiff favorably, but his numbers trail those Pope Francis received at a similar point in his papacy.
Across the border, about eight-in-ten U.S. Catholics also view Pope Leo favorably. But the survey reveals a sharp partisan divide over the ongoing tension between Leo and former President Donald Trump, with many American Catholics believing Trump has been too critical of the pope.
The findings underscore the challenges facing the new pope as he navigates both regional loyalties and political polarization within the global church. Pew's data was collected from representative samples in six Latin American nations and the United States.
For the Vatican, maintaining strong support in the Americas is critical, given the region's large Catholic population and the church's evolving role in social and political debates. The survey suggests Pope Leo retains a solid base, though he has yet to galvanize the same level of enthusiasm that surrounded Francis.
Political observers note that partisan perceptions of the pope's relationship with Trump could complicate his outreach to U.S. conservatives. The survey did not provide detailed breakdowns by country for Latin America.