Pope Francis is more popular than any political world leader

The poll by WIN/Gallup International indicates that Roman Catholics and Jews have the most favorable opinion of the Pope. More than half of the world's protestants and even the majority of atheists and agnostics view him favorably.

About 1,000 people were questioned in 64 countries. BBC religious affairs correspondent Caroline Wyatt says that, three years into his papacy, Francis has enjoyed enormous goodwill and won the hearts and minds not just of Roman Catholics but also of people from other religions and the non-religious.

Those taking part in the poll were asked: "Irrespective of your own religion, do you have a very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable or very unfavorable opinion of Pope Francis?"

The Pope was most popular with Roman Catholics, of whom 85% said they had a favorable opinion of him, and among Jews questioned the figure was 65%.

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