Poll: Pope Francis favorability down sharply in U.S.

Americans’ opinions of Pope Francis have become less positive this month, with 53% now holding a favorable opinion of the pontiff, down from 66% in August. However, among U.S. Roman Catholics, perceptions of Francis are unchanged…

While Americans overall see Francis less favorably, U.S. Catholics’ opinions of the pope have not shifted. Seventy-nine percent of U.S. Catholics have a favorable opinion of Francis, essentially unchanged from the 78% who felt the same last month. There has been no change in the 12% of U.S. Catholics who hold negative views of the pope.