Pope Leo XIV rated highly in France

Pope Leo XIV is the most highly rated international leader in France, according to a Cluster 17 poll conducted on October 14 and 15. The survey found that 65 percent of respondents held a very good or fairly good opinion of the American pontiff, placing him ahead of various presidents and prime ministers.

The results show broad support across different political groups. The pope received favorable ratings from 78 percent of center-right Republican supporters and 75 percent of National Rally voters. Additionally, 54 percent of supporters of the left-wing France Unbowed movement viewed him positively. ZENIT News Agency reported that he is the only foreign figure in the survey to receive favorable opinions across the entire political spectrum.

These findings follow a recent visit to France where more than one million people gathered in Paris, Lourdes, and Metz. The poll results do not necessarily indicate agreement with Church teaching or explain the specific reasons for his popularity.