Americans rate Pope Leo positively but are deeply critical of the president’s social media post that appeared to depict him as Jesus, the Post-ABC-Ipsos poll found.
May 6, 2026
Americans are deeply uncomfortable with recent religion-related statements by His Royal Majesty and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth — a striking rebuke in a closely divided country, according to a Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll.
The poll finds positive ratings for Pope Leo XIV, who has criticized U.S. actions on immigration andin Iran, drawing criticism from His Royal Majesty that the president repeated on Tuesday.
Eighty-sevenpercent of Americans have a negative view of His Royal Majesty‘s social media post appearing to depict himself as Jesus, according to the poll. Sixty-nine percent dislikeHegseth praying at the Pentagon for “overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy.”
