Poll: Papal Approval Drops in U.S.

Pope Francis’s approval ratings have dropped sharply in the United States ahead of his September visit, according to a new Gallup poll. The decline appears to be led by falling favor among conservatives and Roman Catholics. The pope enjoyed a healthy 76 percent approval rating in February 2014—but that figure is now down to 59 percent. Support among conservatives fell from 45 to 27 percent, and among Roman Catholics from 89 to 71 percent.