Where Pope Francis stood in the eyes of American Catholics

Recent polls show that Pope Francis, who changed the face of the Pope, was widely popular among over 60 million American Catholics.

78% of American Catholics expressed their positive opinions in a Pew poll in early February, just before Francis’ long hospitalization in the case of dual pneumonia. The 88-year-old Pope passed away on Monday

Francis’ popularity among American Catholics remained constant throughout his decades of office as Pope.

For live Fox News updates on Pope Francis’ passage, click here

“Pope Francis enjoyed widespread support among American Catholics. It certainly surpasses the popularity of American elected officials,” says veteran political scientist Wayne Lesperance. President of New England Collegetold Fox News.

American Catholics generally looked at Francis more aggressively than his Vatican predecessor. Pope Benedict XVI.

Pope Francis took over Benedict XVI as Pope in March 2013, the latter being the first bishop of Rome to resign since the Middle Ages. (Maurix/Gammalafo via Getty Images)

Five Ways Pope Francis Influenced the Catholic Church

Benedict’s favor ratings ranged from 67% to 83%. Peep Poling His eight years as Pope.

Despite being popular with many Catholics, Francis’ attempts to make the church more inclusive have made him an enemy of some of the church’s conservative wings. And there were many pushbacks to the Pope’s moves to overhaul the very divided church.

These departments may have contributed to partisan divisions in terms of Francis’ Catholic views.

According to the Pew vote in February, 88% of American Catholics identified as Democrats or leaning towards Democrats had a positive view of the Pope. But Francis’ positive opinion fell to 69% among American Catholics who said they were Republicans or leaned towards the GOP.

After Pope Francis was announced on April 21, 2025, by the Vatican of New Jersey, the flag will be half price next to the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. (Eduardo Munoz/Reuters)

Click here to get the Fox News app

“His reform agenda emphasized the value of trying to lift up the poorest and most marginalized individuals in the world, and played better with the Catholic Democrats than the Republicans,” Lesperance said.

“And despite being critical of the current administration’s position on walls, massive deportation and immigration construction, the late Pope enjoyed almost two-thirds of the support of the Catholic Republican Party. His legacy will be one of reform and social justice for Catholics around the world.”