Here’s what was discovered.
A new national poll is generating headlines after finding that Pope Leo XIV currently enjoys a significantly higher favorability rating than President Donald Trump.
The survey, conducted by Economist/YouGov, found that the newly elected pope holds a positive net favorability rating of +32, while Trump sits at -22. The results highlight a striking contrast between two of the world’s most influential figures—one leading the Catholic Church and the other leading the United States.
According to the poll, 55 percent of respondents said they view Pope Leo favorably, while 37 percent said they view President Trump favorably. Meanwhile, 23 percent reported an unfavorable view of the pope, compared to 59 percent who expressed an unfavorable opinion of Trump.
While those numbers may appear damaging for the president, political observers note that comparing a religious leader to a political leader is often difficult. Popes traditionally receive broad goodwill from people across the political spectrum, while presidents are judged daily on controversial policy decisions, economic conditions, border security, foreign affairs, and partisan battles.
Pope Leo XIV, who became the first American pope in history when he was elected in 2025, remains a relatively new figure on the world stage. His calls for peace and diplomatic solutions to international conflicts have earned praise from many religious leaders and moderate voters.
Trump, on the other hand, remains one of the most influential—and polarizing—figures in modern American politics.
Even after years of relentless political attacks, criminal investigations, impeachment efforts, and nonstop media scrutiny, Trump continues to maintain strong support among Republican voters. Poll after poll has shown that his base remains remarkably loyal, even when national favorability ratings fluctuate.
The Economist/YouGov survey also found differences between men and women. Women were more likely to view Trump negatively, while men were somewhat more supportive. Pope Leo received stronger ratings among both groups, though women viewed him slightly more favorably than men.
Tensions between Trump and the Vatican have occasionally surfaced in recent months.
Earlier this year, Pope Leo made public remarks emphasizing peace and diplomacy in global conflicts. Some observers interpreted the comments as criticism of U.S. policy toward Iran, leading to a sharp response from Trump.
In a Truth Social post, Trump suggested that Leo’s election may have been influenced by the Church’s desire to elevate an American pope during his presidency.
“Leo should be thankful because, as everyone knows, he was a shocking surprise,” Trump wrote. “If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican.”
The pope later clarified that his comments were not directed at Trump personally and said his focus remains on promoting peace and dialogue among world leaders.
Still, the public disagreement has not completely faded.
Just days ago, Trump criticized Pope Leo again after the pontiff met with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson at the Vatican, a meeting that sparked discussion among conservative commentators and Catholic voters.
Despite the latest poll results, many Republicans argue that favorability ratings tell only part of the story. Trump continues to dominate the political conversation, shape Republican policy priorities, and influence elections across the country in ways few modern politicians can match.
Meanwhile, Pope Leo is still benefiting from the traditional honeymoon period often enjoyed by newly elected religious leaders.
Whether those numbers hold over time remains to be seen.
The Economist/YouGov poll surveyed 1,604 adults between May 29 and June 1. The margin of error was 3.5 percentage points, or 3.2 points among registered voters.