What American Catholics thought about Pope Francis

Fox News - Apr 21st, 2025

Pope Francis, who profoundly influenced the Catholic Church during his 12-year tenure, passed away at the age of 88. Known for his reformative approach, Francis was highly popular among American Catholics, with a Pew Poll in February showing 78% favorability. His death was reported from St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City, and flags were lowered to half-staff in his honor. As the first pope to make significant strides toward inclusivity, Francis often faced resistance from conservative factions within the church. Despite such challenges, he maintained broad support, notably among Catholic Democrats, due to his emphasis on social issues and advocacy for marginalized communities.

Pope Francis succeeded Pope Benedict XVI in 2013, following the latter's unprecedented resignation. During his papacy, Francis was seen as more favorable than his predecessor, particularly among U.S. Catholics, where he consistently held higher approval ratings. His tenure was marked by attempts to bridge divides within the church, which highlighted a partisan split—88% of Democrat-leaning Catholics supported him, compared to 69% among their Republican counterparts. His death marks the end of an era characterized by a focus on reform and social justice, leaving a lasting impact on Catholics worldwide.

Pope Francis Pope Benedict Xvi Catholic Church Reform Partisan Divide Social Justice American Catholics Pew Poll

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RATING

7.8

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a well-rounded overview of Pope Francis' popularity and the partisan divide among U.S. Catholics, supported by accurate data and expert commentary. Its strengths lie in its factual accuracy, timeliness, and relevance to public interest. However, the article could benefit from more diverse perspectives and a deeper exploration of controversies to enhance balance and engagement. Overall, it effectively informs readers about Pope Francis' impact while leaving room for further discussion and analysis.

Accuracy

The article accurately reports on the death of Pope Francis, his popularity among U.S. Catholics, and the partisan divide in his favorability ratings. The claim about Pope Francis' death at age 88 is consistent with known facts. The reported favorability ratings from Pew Research are precise and match documented data, such as the 78% favorability in February 2025 and the peak of 90% in 2015. The comparison with Pope Benedict XVI's ratings is also accurate. The article does not present any significant inaccuracies, and all key claims are supported by reliable sources.

Balance

The article provides a balanced view of Pope Francis' impact and popularity, mentioning both his broad support and the pushback from conservative factions within the Church. It highlights the partisan divide among U.S. Catholics, which adds depth to the story. However, the article primarily focuses on the positive aspects of his papacy and does not delve deeply into criticisms or controversies surrounding his tenure, which could provide a more comprehensive perspective.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and uses clear, straightforward language to convey its points. It logically presents information about Pope Francis' popularity and the partisan divide, making it easy for readers to follow. The tone is neutral and informative. However, the inclusion of more background information on Pope Francis' reforms and their impact could improve clarity for readers unfamiliar with his papacy.

Source quality

The article relies on data from the Pew Research Center, a highly reputable source for public opinion polling, which enhances the credibility of the information presented. It also includes quotes from Wayne Lesperance, a political scientist, which adds expert insight. However, the article could benefit from a broader range of sources, including voices from within the Catholic Church or other religious scholars, to provide a more nuanced view.

Transparency

The article is transparent in its use of data, clearly citing Pew Research Center polls to support its claims about Pope Francis' popularity. It also provides context for the partisan divide among U.S. Catholics. However, it lacks detailed explanations of the methodology behind the polling data and does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest, which would enhance transparency.