Pope Francis remains popular in Latin America according to a new survey conducted by the Pew Research Center. The survey included 6,234 adults from six of Latin America’s most populous countries, revealing that attitudes towards the pope in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru are still largely positive, although less positive than they were a decade ago. In countries such as Brazil and Mexico, 68% of adults have a favorable opinion of the pope, while in Colombia and Peru, that number is even higher.
However, there has been a decrease in favorability towards the pope in Argentina. A decade ago, 91% of Argentinians had a positive opinion of Pope Francis, but that number has dropped to around 64% today. This drop in favorability was the largest among the six surveyed countries. In Chile, only about half of adults have a positive view of Francis. The poll found that the favorable impression of the pope among U.S. adults has also decreased, with 57% of Americans now having a positive opinion of him. Despite this decrease, U.S. Catholics (75%) are more likely to have a positive view of Francis compared to Protestants (51%) or the religiously unaffiliated (56%).
The White House responded to Pope Francis’ condemnation of “gender theory” affirming President Biden’s support for the transgender community. This response comes as Pope Francis has faced criticism from conservative factions, with the pope responding to his critics in a new interview. The pope remains a prominent figure in the Catholic Church and continues to make headlines with his statements and actions. However, there are varying opinions on Pope Francis, as indicated by the survey results showing a decrease in favorability in some Latin American countries and in the United States.
Overall, the survey conducted by the Pew Research Center sheds light on the opinions of Pope Francis in Latin America and the U.S. Despite remaining popular in many countries, there has been a decline in favorability in certain regions, particularly in Argentina. The pope’s statements on social issues such as gender theory have sparked responses from different factions, highlighting the various perspectives on his leadership. In the U.S., the poll findings show that Catholics are more likely to have a positive view of Pope Francis compared to other religious groups, emphasizing the impact of his leadership within the Catholic community.
As Pope Francis continues to navigate various social and political issues within the Catholic Church, his popularity remains a topic of interest both in Latin America and internationally. The survey results provide valuable insights into the public’s perception of the pope, highlighting both areas of support and areas of concern. While his favorability has decreased in some countries, Pope Francis continues to be a significant figure in global Catholicism, influencing debates and discussions within the Church and beyond. The survey findings serve as a reflection of the diverse views on Pope Francis and his leadership, demonstrating the complexity of his role as the head of the Catholic Church in the modern world.
