
Donald Trump has sunk to a net favourability rating of minus 12 points with the American public, falling 46 points behind Pope Leo XIV, as new polling lays bare the political cost of attacking America's first-ever native-born pontiff.
An NBC News survey conducted by Hart Research Associates between 27 February and 3 March 2026 found that 42% of registered American voters view Pope Leo XIV favourably, against just 8% unfavourably, a net positive of 34 points.