Already a favorite among his Catholic flock, Pope Francis has seen a huge upswing in support from the general American public likely driven by his humble, man-of-the people approach, according to a new poll.
The latest Pew Research survey found that nine-in-10, or 90 percent, of Catholics like Pope Francis, about equal to the 93 percent popularity former Pope John Paul II had.
Among all Americans, 70 percent like the pope. Said Pew, “As they have gotten to know more about him, non-Catholics also have grown more admiring of Pope Francis. Among U.S. adults overall (Catholic and non-Catholic), seven-in-ten see the pope favorably, up 13 points since the days immediately following his election in March 2013.”
AP Photo
Other key details, said Pew:
“He is most widely admired by Catholics, but six-in-ten Protestants and two-thirds of the religiously unaffiliated also view him favorably. He is viewed more favorably by Americans over the age of 65 than among those under 50, but even those in the latter category express mostly positive opinions about Pope Francis. Both men and women give Francis a positive rating, and Republicans and Democrats are united in their esteem for him.”
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected].
