BREAKING Pope Leo XIV Emerges as the Favorite Global Leader in the World's Most Famous Opinion Poll by Gallup

In a world increasingly defined by political division, Pope Leo XIV has emerged as the only global leader with a net positive reputation, according to the latest Gallup International End of Year (EOY) Survey.

The 2025–2026 study—the longest-running global opinion poll of its kind—highlights a significant shift in public trust, as spiritual leadership begins to outshine traditional political power on the world stage.

The Global Leaderboard: A League of One

While political heavyweights struggle with high disapproval ratings, Pope Leo XIV maintains a singular position of global favorability. He is currently the only major figure measured to hold a positive net score:

Favorability Rankings (Net Score)

LeaderFavorableUnfavorableNet Score
Pope Leo XIV49%25%+24
Narendra Modi25%37%-12
Xi Jinping29%52%-23
Donald Trump30%61%-31
Vladimir Putin25%66%-41
Benjamin Netanyahu19%61%-42

Key Geographic Trends

The Pope's appeal is not just high; it is widespread. He holds a net positive image in 51 of the 61 countries surveyed.

  • Strongest Support: Croatia, Kenya, and Peru.

  • Regional Dominance: He leads decisively in Africa (+36), North America (+35), and Latin America (+34).

  • The Outliers: His lowest ratings are found in West Asia (+3) and the Arab world (-18).

In contrast, political leaders remain confined by regional loyalties. For instance, while Donald Trump holds marginal positives in South Asia and North America, he faces severe rejection in Western Europe and Northeast Asia (–59).

Institutional Trust: The Papacy vs. Politics

The survey suggests a long-term erosion of trust in political institutions. While the papacy’s net favorability has shifted from Pope Francis’s +38 in 2017 to Leo XIV’s +24 today, it remains remarkably resilient.

Meanwhile, political leaders have seen their global standing collapse over the same period:

  • Vladimir Putin: Fell from +3 to –41.

  • Xi Jinping: Slipped from +6 to –23.

  • Narendra Modi: Dropped from +8 to –12.

"The Pope is perceived primarily as a moral and spiritual figure—one who speaks across cultures about peace, human dignity, and the common good."

The Verdict on "Soft Power"

Conducted since 1947, this Gallup International Association (GIA) study suggests that in an era of "ideological fatigue," the world is looking beyond presidents and prime ministers for moral direction. Pope Leo XIV’s influence appears to rest on conscience and consistency rather than economic or military might.

Image and Text Sources: https://www.gallup-international.com/survey-results-and-news/survey-result/the-latest-findings-from-the-worlds-longest-running-global-public-opinion-study and Zenit.org

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