Pope Leo XIV Outpaces President Donald Trump in Favorability Across U.S. Religious and Political Groups

A Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) online survey conducted May 1-18, 2026 asked 5,469 adults nationwide (margin of error ±1.53 pp) about their views of Pope Leo XIV and President Donald Trump. Overall, 56 % expressed a favorable opinion of the pope, versus 34 % for Trump. Among Democrats, 73 % favor the pope compared with 5 % for Trump; among independents, the split is 55 % to 25 %. Republicans reverse the pattern, with 79 % favoring Trump and 47 % favoring the pope. White evangelical Protestants are the only major religious group where a majority still backs Trump.

Newsweek

Popes have historically enjoyed broad U.S. support. In 2015, 67 % of Americans viewed Pope Francis favorably, outpacing President Barack Obama’s 52 % approval. Pew Research reported nine in ten U.S. Catholics rated Pope Francis favorably that year. The current poll shows a similar pattern for Pope Leo XIV, especially among Catholics, many citing pride in having the first American pope. Deckman notes that the partisan split is “less about theology than about political identity,” with the pope judged on moral rather than policy grounds.

Newsweek

Deckman attributes Trump’s waning support to a combination of inflation, economic anxiety, an unpopular war, and a hard-line immigration policy. Two-thirds of respondents view his handling of the Iran conflict unfavorably, and economic concerns have eroded his base among independents and less-committed Republicans. By contrast, the pope’s statements on immigration and war are perceived as moral teachings rather than partisan positions, helping him maintain broader appeal across partisan lines.

Newsweek

White evangelical Protestants and Christian nationalists remain Trump’s most loyal constituencies, reflecting a blend of religious identity and conservative politics. Catholics, however, show strong support for Leo, with many citing pride in having the first American pope, and even two-thirds of Republican Catholics view him favorably. Deckman notes that historical Protestant suspicion of Catholic loyalty has largely faded, though remnants persist among some Christian nationalists.

Newsweek

The White House has repeatedly pointed to Trump’s 2024 election victory as the clearest measure of public support. PRRI’s leadership frames the partisan divide as rooted in political identity rather than theological differences.

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• “inflation and economic anxiety, an unpopular war, and a hard-line immigration policy,” — Melissa Deckman, CEO, PRRI

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• “She attributed that erosion to "inflation and economic anxiety, an unpopular war, and a hard-line immigration policy," while noting that the pope is often judged on a different standard—as a moral leader rather than a political actor.” — Melissa Deckman, CEO, PRRI

Newsweek

• “Notably, Catholics hold extremely favorable views of Leo, likely driven by pride that he is the first American pope,” — Melissa Deckman, CEO, PRRI

Newsweek

• “The survey found that two-thirds of Americans hold unfavorable views of Trump’s handling of the conflict.” — Melissa Deckman, CEO, PRRI

Newsweek