Pope’s popularity is plummeting in U.S. after sexual abuse scandals

Pope Francis’ once-overwhelming popularity in the U.S. has taken a major hit since a new report on sexual abuse was released in August, according to two new polls.

A Gallup poll released Tuesday found that 53 percent of Americans said they had a favorable opinion of the pontiff, down from 66 percent in August, when respondents were questioned just before the release of a sweeping Pennsylvania grand jury report listing hundreds of Catholic clergy accused of sexual abuse and misconduct over 70 years in the state. Francis’ popularity has fallen 23 points from a 2014 high of 76 percent in Gallup polls.

A separate CNN/SSRS poll released last week found 48 percent with a favorable view of the pope, down from 66 percent in January 2017 and a high of 72 percent in December 2013.

Since August, the church has been rocked by the Pennsylvania grand jury report and the investigations that followed — attorneys general are now conducting inquiries on abuse in the church in states including Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico and New York.

The Gallup and CNN polls differ on whether Francis’ popularity has decreased among Catholics.

Gallup finds the fall in favorable ratings concentrated among non-Catholics, while the CNN survey suggests a significant drop among both Catholics and the broader public.