Gallup Poll: Pope Leo XIV the Most Favorably Viewed “Newsmaker” in the World
Ascension TeamImage credit: Vatican News
In an age when so many public figures divide opinion, one leader is uniting hearts across the globe: Pope Leo XIV, successor of St. Peter and shepherd of over 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide.
A recent Gallup poll has named him the most favorably viewed newsmaker in the world among 14 prominent global figures, with a remarkable 57% of Americans expressing a positive view. Pope Leo came in above other prominent leaders such as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, and French President Emmanuel Macron. Even more striking is Pope Leo's very low unfavorable rating—just 11%.
For Catholics, this is no surprise. Pope Leo XIV’s words and witness have consistently drawn people to Christ, spoken truth with charity, and radiated the joy of the Gospel. His leadership reminds us that the Church’s mission is eternal: to lead every soul to a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ.
Pope Leo: A Shepherd Who Listens, Leads, and Loves
From his earliest days as a parish priest to his election as the first North American-born pope, Pope Leo XIV has shown himself to be a shepherd who listens to his flock, leads with humility, and loves with the heart of Christ. The Gallup numbers only reflect what many Catholics already know: here is a man who points all people toward Jesus—“the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6).
As he told the Jubilee of Youth, “This is the mission of the Church: to proclaim peace to the world!”
These are not only words—they are a reality Pope Leo lives daily, whether addressing vast crowds in St. Peter’s Square or quietly encouraging an individual pilgrim.
Image credit: Vatican News
A Pope for Our Time
Pope Leo XIV’s popularity is not about charisma for its own sake—it is about the attraction of holiness. The saints teach us that authentic holiness draws people, even those far from the faith. By speaking clearly on the truths of the Catholic Faith while extending genuine compassion, Pope Leo has become a sign of hope for believers and nonbelievers alike.
Encouraging young people, he said, “Aspire to great things, to holiness, wherever you are. Do not settle for less. You will then see the light of the Gospel growing every day, in you and around you.”
His example shows why, in a noisy and divided world, so many look to him as a voice of clarity, peace, and conviction.
What This Means for the Church
While public opinion polls are never the measure of a pope’s mission, they can reveal an important truth: the world is still hungry for moral clarity, authentic love, and the light of Christ.
Pope Leo XIV’s favorability demonstrates that even in a skeptical age, hearts respond to a shepherd who teaches truth with gentleness and lives the Gospel with joy.
He reminds us, “We are not made for a life where everything is taken for granted and static, but for an existence that is constantly renewed through the gift of self in love.”
For Catholics, this is a call to pray daily for our Holy Father, as the successor of St. Peter, and to join him in proclaiming Christ to the world.
Image credit: Vatican News
Learn More About Pope Leo XIV
In When the White Smoke Clears, you’ll discover:
- Why the papacy matters — What the Church teaches about the office of the pope
- Who Pope Leo XIV is — Insights into his life, his first words, and his early priorities
- How to support him — Practical ways to pray for, fast for, and faithfully follow the Holy Father
Order your copy of When the White Smoke Clears today and be inspired by the story of the man who is not only the leader of the Catholic Church, but also—according to Gallup—the most favorably viewed newsmaker in the world.