{"id":319132,"date":"2026-06-18T13:41:43","date_gmt":"2026-06-18T17:41:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?post_type=short-read&p=319132"},"modified":"2026-06-23T09:44:38","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T13:44:38","slug":"catholics-in-latin-america-generally-have-positive-views-of-pope-leo","status":"publish","type":"short-read","link":"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2026\/06\/18\/catholics-in-latin-america-generally-have-positive-views-of-pope-leo\/","title":{"rendered":"Catholics in Latin America generally have positive views of Pope Leo"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"People
People participate in a vigil in front of the Cathedral of Saint Mary in Chiclayo, Peru, on May 18, 2025, before a Mass celebrating the beginning of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate. Leo was bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023. (Diego Torres\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In all six Latin American countries we surveyed in 2026, a majority of Catholics express a favorable opinion of Pope Leo XIV. Some of the most positive views are in Peru, where 79% of Catholics look favorably on the pope, including 39% who have a very<\/em> favorable opinion of him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although he is the first pope born in the United States, Leo has strong ties to Peru \u2013 where he lived for about two decades<\/a> and became a bishop in 2014. He holds both Peruvian and U.S. citizenship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About this research<\/summary>\n

This analysis explores how Catholics in Latin America view Pope Leo XIV. About 40% of the world\u2019s Catholics live<\/a> in the Latin America-Caribbean region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why did we do this? <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Pew Research Center does opinion surveys, demographic studies and other research to better understand the role of religion in public life, among other topics. Some of our recent work on religion and spirituality has focused on religion in Latin America<\/a> and U.S. Catholics\u2019 views of the pope<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn more about Pew Research Center <\/a>and our religion research<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did we do this? <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

We surveyed 6,132 people, including 3,530 Catholics, across six countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru. These countries are home to roughly three-quarters of Latin America\u2019s Catholics<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interviews were conducted Feb. 12-May 13, 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is the question used for this analysis<\/a>, along with responses, and the survey methodology<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who funded this work? <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This analysis was produced by Pew Research Center as part of the Pew-Templeton Global Religious Futures project<\/a>, which analyzes religious change and its impact on societies around the world. Funding for the Global Religious Futures project comes from The Pew Charitable Trusts, John Templeton Foundation (grant 63753) and Templeton Religion Trust (grant 34765). This publication does not necessarily reflect the views of the funders.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

In Argentina and Chile, opinions of Pope Leo are less positive, in part because he is less well known. Substantial shares of Catholics in both countries say they have not heard of Leo or don\u2019t give an opinion on him.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Nearly 8 in 10 Peruvian Catholics view Pope Leo XIV favorably<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
% of Catholics<\/strong> who say their overall opinion of Pope Leo is \u2026<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n
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Note: \u201cDid not answer\u201d includes those who said they have never heard of Pope Leo or who refused to answer.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
Source: Spring 2026 Global Attitudes Survey.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
PEW RESEARCH CENTER<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t
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Share this chart<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t