Pope Francis’ Popularity Remains Strong in Latin America, Survey Shows
A recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center has revealed that Pope Francis continues to enjoy widespread popularity in Latin America, despite a slight decrease in favorability in his home country of Argentina.
The survey, titled “How People in Latin America and the U.S. view Pope Francis,” polled 6,234 adults in six of Latin America’s most populous countries. The results showed that attitudes towards the pope in countries such as Brazil and Mexico remain overwhelmingly positive, with 68% of adults expressing a favorable opinion of him.
However, the survey also highlighted a notable decline in favorability towards Pope Francis in Argentina. A decade ago, 91% of Argentinians viewed the pope positively, but that number has since dropped to an estimated 64%.
In addition to Argentina, the survey found varying levels of support for Pope Francis in other Latin American countries. In Colombia, 72% of adults have a positive view of the pope, compared to 83% in late 2013. Meanwhile, in Chile, only about half of adults hold a favorable opinion of Francis.
The survey also examined the perception of Pope Francis among U.S. adults, revealing that his popularity peaked between 2015 and 2017 when seven-in-ten Americans viewed him positively. Today, 57% of U.S. adults have a favorable opinion of the pope, with U.S. Catholics showing the highest level of support at 75%.
Overall, the survey indicates that Pope Francis remains a widely respected figure in Latin America, despite some fluctuations in his favorability ratings. The results provide valuable insights into the public perception of the pontiff across different regions and religious affiliations.
(Source: Pew Research Center, Associated Press)
