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Pope Leo XIV has enjoyed relatively strong popularity after his first 100 days as pope. Several polls show broad early goodwill from U.S. Catholics and many Americans, with August 16 marking the 100th day of his papacy.
However, he hasn’t yet reached the heights achieved by Pope Francis during his tenure.
### Why It Matters
Pope Leo, a Chicago native, was chosen as the new leader of the Catholic Church on May 8 after a two-day conclave. He held his first mass in the Sistine Chapel on May 9 and succeeded Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday. His popularity rating is crucial for measuring public response to him and his policies as he establishes himself.
*Pope Leo XIV during Angelus prayer at his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo on August 16, 2025. Photo by: Rocco Spaziani/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images*
### What To Know
According to an Associated Press-NORC survey of 1,158 U.S. adults fielded June 5-9, roughly two-thirds of American Catholics expressed a “very” or “somewhat” favorable view of Pope Leo XIV.
About three in ten respondents said they did not know enough to form an opinion, and fewer than one in ten viewed him unfavorably. The poll indicated similar levels of support among Democrats and Republicans and found more support among older Americans compared to younger ones.
Two years into Pope Francis’ papacy, a Zenit news poll showed he had a 59 percent favorability rating, suggesting greater early optimism toward Pope Leo. In contrast, Pope Francis’ popularity peaked at 90 percent in 2015 and fell to 75 percent in April 2024.
A late-July Gallup survey of 1,002 adults showed Pope Leo with a 57 percent favorable rating, 11 percent unfavorable, and 31 percent no opinion, placing him above other international figures in net favorability.
### What People Are Saying
At his inaugural mass in May, Pope Leo XIV said: “In this our time, we still see too much discord, too many wounds caused by hatred, violence, prejudice, the fear of difference, and an economic paradigm that exploits the Earth’s resources and marginalizes the poorest.”
Terry Barber, a 50-year-old Catholic from Sacramento, California, told Associated Press: “I’m optimistic. Certainly, the first pope from the United States is significant. Since he worked under the previous pope, I’m sure he has similar ideas but certainly some that are original of his own. I’m looking forward to seeing what, if any changes, come about under his leadership.”
### What Happens Next
As Pope Leo continues his papacy and speaks at events, public response is likely to fluctuate.
