Pope Francis has maintained remarkably high public approval ratings in the United States throughout his papacy. But many warned during the months leading up to his American visit in late September that his continued focus on controversial policy issues might cause those support levels to plunge from their rather celestial heights. Could his continued emphasis on issues such as climate change actually turn people off, generating a backlash against the Pope and any serious engagement on the issue? CONT.
Sarah Mills, Barry Rabe & Christopher Borick, Brookings Institution