New NBC Poll Reveals Pope Leo XIV Holds the Highest Favorability in the U.S.A. Surpassing President Trump

Based on a recent NBC News survey, Pope Leo XIV—just ten months into his papacy—currently holds a higher favorability rating among U.S. voters than the nation’s president, major political parties, or even artificial intelligence.

Survey Highlights

The survey, which polled 1,000 registered voters between February 27 and March 3, 2026, found that Pope Leo XIV holds a 34% net-positive favorability rating.
The poll, conducted in early March, revealed that 42% of registered voters view the Pope favorably (23% "very positively" and 19% "somewhat positively"), while only 8% view him negatively. This result gives him a +34% net-positive rating, placing him at the top of a list of 14 different figures and groups.

As the first U.S. pope, Leo XIV significantly outperformed several prominent political figures:

  • Pope Leo XIV: +34 favorability (42% positive vs. 8% negative)

  • Donald Trump: -12 favorability (41% positive vs. 53% negative)

  • JD Vance: -11 favorability (38% vs. 49%)

  • Marco Rubio: -7 favorability (34% vs. 41%)

  • Kamala Harris: -17 favorability (34% vs. 51%)

  • The GOP/Democratic Parties: Both netted double-digit negatives.

In fact, Leo was the only individual with a negative rating in the single digits. The only other person to achieve a net-positive score was comedian Stephen Colbert (+10).

A Profile of the "American Missionary"

Despite his popularity, the survey suggests many Americans are still getting to know the former Cardinal Robert Prevost. Half of the respondents remained neutral (36%) or uncertain (14%) about him.

Background: Elected on May 8 as the 267th pope, the 70-year-old Chicago native spent decades as an Augustinian priest and missionary in Peru before his election.

Comparative Trends

Leo’s current trajectory echoes the early days of Pope Francis. While Leo's net-positive stands at 34%, Francis reached a 52% net-positive in late 2013. However, among U.S. Catholics specifically, Leo remains a powerhouse; a Pew Research Center study showed "8 in 10 U.S. American Catholics" hold a favorable view of the "pope from Chicago."

Looking Ahead

Pope Leo XIV continues to face scrutiny regarding his stance on U.S. foreign policy and immigration. Although he has a busy 2026 travel schedule, the Vatican has confirmed he "will not visit his home country" during the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

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