Pope Francis is seen in a positive light all over the world, especially in Europe, the United States and Latin America. This comes from a study done by an American research institute. An average of 60% of people have a favourable opinion of the Pope, compared to 11% unfavourable, in the 43 countries studied. The study was conducted by the Pew research center In Washington.
He is particularly liked in Europe, with 84% of people having a favourable opinion of him. He is also liked in the United States – which he will visit in 2015 – with 78% favorable, and Latin America, where the Argentinian is from, with 72% favourable.
Africa is a bit more indifferent, with 44% having a positive opinion of him but 40% do not have an opinion. Same thing in Asia: 41% favourable, 45% no opinion.
The Middle East is as favourable as not, with 25% of people putting favourable and 25% unfavourable, and 41% giving no opinion.
He is, quite logically, popular in Catholic countries: 92% in Poland, 91% at home in Argentina and in Italy, and 88% in Spain.
Jordan, Egypt and Turkey have the most unfavourable opinions, with figures at around 30%.
The survey was done in two waves: Winter 2013-2014 in nine Latin America countries (14,564 people) and Spring 2014 in 34 other countries (36,430 people).
(Source: Belga)
