However, in a striking shift, his approval in his home country, Argentina, has plummeted by nearly 30 percentage points over the past decade, according to a new report by the Pew Research Center.
The report, titled «How People in Latin America and the U.S. View Pope Francis,» highlights the changing attitudes toward the pontiff in six major Latin American nations: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru.
Based on interviews with over 6,200 adults conducted last year, the study reveals that while Pope Francis remains a respected figure, the level of enthusiasm for his leadership has generally cooled compared to when he was first elected.
One of the most notable declines occurred in Argentina.
In 2013, when Jorge Bergoglio became Pope Francis, an overwhelming 91% of Argentinians expressed positive views of him, hailing his rise to the papacy as a national triumph.
Fast forward to today, and that number has dropped to an estimated 64%, illustrating a more divided and less fervent sentiment toward the pope in his homeland.
Beyond Argentina, the broader trend across Latin America shows a softening in the pontiff’s approval ratings, though he still commands a favorable image.
In Brazil and Mexico, 68% of respondents view him positively, while in Colombia, 72% of adults hold a favorable opinion. This marks a drop from the 83% approval Pope Francis enjoyed in Colombia at the end of 2013.
In Chile, where the Catholic Church has faced significant public scrutiny in recent years, only about half of adults express positive views of the pope.
Pope Francis’ popularity has also experienced some shifts in the United States. His favorable rating peaked between 2015 and 2017, when nearly 70% of Americans held him in high regard.
Today, that figure has fallen to 57%.
Despite the decline, Catholics in the U.S. remain the most likely to have positive opinions of him, with 75% holding favorable views, compared to 51% of Protestants and 56% of the religiously unaffiliated.
The report underscores the complex dynamics surrounding Pope Francis’ reputation.
His progressive stances on issues like social justice, climate change, and outreach to marginalized communities have earned him admiration globally.
However, these same positions have also sparked criticism, particularly among more conservative factions within the Church and political spheres, leading to a more polarized perception of his papacy.
For many in Latin America, Pope Francis remains a symbol of pride, but the fervor that once greeted his election seems to have dimmed, especially in Argentina, where political and economic tensions may have contributed to the waning enthusiasm.
Nevertheless, the pope’s message
of compassion, humility, and social reform continues to resonate with
millions, solidifying his place as one of the most influential figures
of our time, even as public sentiment evolves.