Ethan Walker
Pope Francis has received favorable views from 75% of American Catholics, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in February 2024. This is a decrease from his peak favorability rating of 90% in early 2015. While most American Catholics view Pope Francis positively, there is a vocal conservative opposition to him. Critics include American Catholic Bishops leaders, who have expressed concern over his anti-Americanism, acceptance of socialist and elitist causes, and his handling of priests and bishops accused of sexual abuse. Pope Francis has also made efforts to make the Catholic Church more inclusive for LGBTQ+ people and women, which has created a rift between traditionalists and the Vatican.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of U.S. Catholics with a favorable view of Pope Francis | 75% (as of April 2024) |
| Percentage of U.S. Catholics with an unfavorable view of Pope Francis | 20% (as of April 2024) |
| Percentage of U.S. Catholics who view Pope Francis as a major change in direction for the church | 54% (of those with an unfavorable view) |
| Percentage of U.S. Catholics who view Pope Francis as a minor change in direction for the church | 35% (of those with a favorable view) |
| Percentage of U.S. Catholics who attend Mass weekly and support recognizing same-sex marriages | 61% |
| Percentage of U.S. Catholics who attend Mass weekly and support women becoming priests | 71% |
| Percentage of U.S. Catholics who do not attend Mass weekly and oppose recognizing same-sex marriages | 65% |
| Percentage of U.S. Catholics who do not attend Mass weekly and oppose women becoming priests | 56% |
| Overall approval rating of Pope Francis among U.S. Catholics (as of March 2025) | 77% |
| Overall disapproval rating of Pope Francis among U.S. Catholics (as of March 2025) | 17% |
| Main source of opposition to Pope Francis | Conservative clerics and lay people in America |
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What You'll Learn
- Pope Francis's efforts to make the Catholic Church more inclusive for marginalised groups
- The Pope's response to the Catholic Church's sexual abuse scandals
- The Pope's relationship with conservative clerics and lay people in America
- The impact of Pope Francis on younger Catholics
- The Pope's stance on social issues
Pope Francis's efforts to make the Catholic Church more inclusive for marginalised groups
Pope Francis has made efforts to make the Catholic Church more inclusive for marginalised groups, including LGBTQ+ people and women. For example, in 2013, Pope Francis was asked about his observation of a "gay lobby" inside the Vatican hierarchy, to which he replied: "I have yet to find someone who introduces himself at the Vatican with an identity card marked 'gay'. But we must distinguish the fact that a person is gay from the fact of lobbying, because no lobbies are good. If a person is gay and he searches for the Lord and has goodwill, who am I to judge?". This quote has been described as sympathetic and inclusive. In addition, Pope Francis has commended the Catholic Extension Society's work to support marginalised communities and has expressed gratitude for their efforts in providing assistance to missionary Dioceses, particularly in the United States, and in caring for the poor and most vulnerable.
However, there is also opposition to Pope Francis and his efforts to make the Catholic Church more inclusive. Some conservative clerics and lay people in America are among his most vocal critics. For example, in November, Pope Francis moved against two of his loudest detractors, Bishop Joseph E. Strickland and Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke, both Americans. Strickland was removed as Bishop of the Diocese of Tyler, Texas, and Cardinal Burke was stripped of his Vatican privileges, housing, and salary.
Overall, Pope Francis has received favorable ratings from a majority of U.S. Catholics, with 75% viewing him positively in a 2024 survey. However, this is down from previous years, with a peak favorability rating of 90% in early 2015.
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The Pope's response to the Catholic Church's sexual abuse scandals
Pope Francis has received a generally favourable response from American Catholics, with a 2024 survey by Pew Research Center finding that 75% view him positively. This is down from a peak of 90% in 2015, and he has been viewed more positively than his predecessor Pope Benedict XVI, but less so than Benedict's predecessor, Pope John Paul II.
However, there is a vocal conservative opposition to Pope Francis in the United States, who disagree with his efforts to make the Catholic Church more inclusive for LGBTQ+ people and women. Some critics have also accused Pope Francis of opposing reforms to tackle clerical sexual abuse, while "turning a blind eye" to priests who assault nuns and force them to have abortions.
In February 2019, Pope Francis promised to "spare no effort" to bring to justice paedophile priests and the bishops who covered up their crimes. He also became the first pontiff to publicly admit that priests had sexually abused nuns, and the Vatican established procedures for every diocese to report allegations of abuse and foster accountability for the actions of bishops and cardinals. Despite these measures, Pope Francis has been accused of promoting individuals with a history of sexual abuse, such as Mauro Inzoli, Julio Grassi, Monsignor Ricci, Gustavo Zanchetta, and Theodore McCarrick.
Anne Barrett Doyle, a co-founder of BishopAccountability, cited 10 cases since 2019 that allegedly show the pope favoured accused bishops and clerics over their victims. In one case, Marko Rupnik was excommunicated in 2020 after accusations of sexual and psychological assault against nuns, but in 2023 was accepted into a diocese in Slovenia. Doyle stated that "we're talking about a continued pattern of the pope backing accused abusers," and that "his measures have been designed to produce little impact."
Reisinger, another critic of Pope Francis, noted that while the pope publicly condemns abortion, he turns a blind eye to priests who force nuns to have abortions. She also highlighted the lack of care for abused nuns, many of whom have been thrown out of their orders and made homeless.
While Pope Francis has been accused of inaction and opposing reforms, some have acknowledged that he has met with more victims and apologized more abjectly than his predecessors. He has also broadened the definition of abuse to include vulnerable adults and expanded the practice of bishops investigating and judging accused priests to include accused bishops as well.
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The Pope's relationship with conservative clerics and lay people in America
Pope Francis has enjoyed high approval ratings from American Catholics since becoming pope in 2013, with 75% viewing him favourably according to a 2024 Pew Research Center survey. However, he has faced vocal opposition from conservative clerics and lay people in America, who criticise his progressive social agenda and efforts to reform the Catholic Church.
Francis has focused on providing a more pastoral, inclusive, and merciful church, reaching out to those who are suffering, including the poor, homeless, immigrants, and refugees. He has urged the church to reform its stances on social issues, such as advocating for the inclusion of LGBTQ+ people and women, and promoting the use of birth control. These efforts have been well-received by many Catholics, but they have also created a growing rift between the Vatican and traditionalist American Catholics.
The Pope's progressive agenda has particularly angered conservative clerics and lay people in America, who were accustomed to certain privileges and customs under previous pontificates. They criticise Francis for upending long-standing traditions and doctrines, such as his push to end the church's ban on communion for remarried divorcees and his crackdown on the Latin mass. They also accuse him of having an intemperate style, making imprudent off-the-cuff remarks, and displaying anti-American sentiments.
In response to this opposition, Pope Francis has taken action against some of his loudest detractors. For example, in November 2023, he removed Bishop Joseph E. Strickland as Bishop of the Diocese of Tyler, Texas, and stripped Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke of his Vatican privileges, housing, and salary. These actions demonstrate the Pope's willingness to marginalise those who do not align with his vision for the church.
While Pope Francis has gained the adoration of many Catholics and non-Catholics for his humility and care for the underprivileged, his progressive reforms have also sparked discontent among conservative clerics and lay people in America, contributing to a growing rift between the Vatican and traditionalists.
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The impact of Pope Francis on younger Catholics
Pope Francis has had a varied impact on younger Catholics. While some younger Catholics have praised his papacy, others have criticised his actions and inactions.
Positive Impact
Pope Francis has been praised by younger Catholics for his humility, care for the poor, and steering the church towards reforming its stance on social issues. Many younger Catholics have welcomed his efforts to make the Catholic Church more inclusive for LGBTQ+ people and women. For instance, he has allowed priests to bless same-sex couples and has signalled that it is okay to have different points of view on issues like marriage, family, and sexuality.
Younger Catholics have also appreciated his focus on serving the most vulnerable and his emphasis on social justice, economic inequality, and environmental stewardship. For instance, 29-year-old Daniel Trinh, who volunteers to cook breakfast for the homeless on weekends, was inspired by Pope Francis' focus on serving the vulnerable. Sean Zaribe, who is 26, values Pope Francis' openness to priests blessing people in same-sex relationships.
Negative Impact
On the other hand, some younger Catholics have criticised Pope Francis for not doing enough to address longstanding scandals involving clerical sexual abuse and corruption, which has further eroded trust in the Catholic Church. While Francis has tried to revitalise Catholic social teaching, his reforms have not been sufficient to counter the growing competition from Pentecostalism and the rise of secularism, particularly among younger generations who are disillusioned with institutional religion.
Some younger Catholics have also criticised specific actions by Pope Francis, such as his rapprochement with China, where he agreed to share responsibility for choosing Catholic bishops with the Communist government, which was seen as a betrayal by Catholics resisting government control.
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The Pope's stance on social issues
Pope Francis has received both praise and criticism for his stances on various social issues. While he has gained the adoration of many Catholics and non-Catholics worldwide for his humility and care for the poor, he has also faced opposition from some conservative clerics and laypeople, particularly in America.
LGBTQ+ Inclusion
Pope Francis has made efforts to make the Catholic Church more inclusive for LGBTQ+ people, which has created a rift between the Vatican and traditionalist American Catholics. Most Catholics who don't attend Mass weekly say the church should recognize same-sex marriages, while those who attend Mass regularly are less inclined to support this.
Women's Roles
The Pope's attempts to make the church more inclusive for women have also contributed to the divide. While many Catholics support the ordination of women as priests, those who attend Mass regularly are more likely to oppose this idea.
Clerical Culture
According to Rev. Thomas Reese, Pope Francis "hated clericalism." He instructed bishops and priests to "get down with their people" and listen to them instead of acting like princes. This shift in the culture of the church has been welcomed by many but criticized by some traditionalists.
Social and Economic Justice
Pope Francis has been a strong advocate for social and economic justice. He has urged leaders to listen to the "cry of the excluded" and address social injustices, proposing a Universal Basic Income and higher taxes for billionaires. He has warned against unchecked competition for wealth, individualism, and indifference towards the marginalized.
COVID-19 Vaccination
The Pope's urging of COVID-19 vaccination has also been a point of contention, with some conservative American Catholics opposing his stance.
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Frequently asked questions
Pope Francis has received favorable ratings from 75% of American Catholics, according to a 2024 survey by Pew Research Center. However, his approval rating among American Catholics has decreased since 2021, and he faces criticism from some conservative clerics and lay people in America.
Some American Catholics criticize Pope Francis for his intemperate style, off-the-cuff remarks, anti-Americanism, acceptance of socialist and elitist causes, and his handling of priests and bishops behaving inappropriately with minors. They also oppose his efforts to make the Catholic Church more inclusive for LGBTQ+ people and women.
Pope Francis is viewed more positively by American Catholics than by the general American public. 58% of Americans, including those who are not Catholic, view Pope Francis favorably, while 77% of U.S. Catholics express a favorable opinion of him.
