Ifop, in collaboration with Famille Chrétienne, RCF NOTRE DAME, and Aleteia, conducted a survey asking the French public about Pope Leo XIV’s visit to France.
32% of French people believe that the Pope defends Catholic values fairly well (57% among practicing Catholics), compared to 10% who believe he defends them fairly poorly, and 58% who believe he defends them neither well nor poorly. By comparison, 79% of practicing Catholics believed in April 2025 that Pope Francis defended these values “fairly well” (22 percentage points higher); 72% in 2021 and 76% in 2016.
When asked about the image traits associated with Pope Leo XIV, 41% of French people see him first and foremost as the head of a religious institution that primarily serves Catholics; 21% view him as a spiritual leader and an important moral voice in public debate; and finally, 12% see him as a prominent media figure. Finally, one-quarter of the French population has no opinion of the Pope, a proportion that is higher among non-Catholics (33% among those of other religions; 29% among those with no religion).
Regarding the topics the French would like the Pope to address, peace and global conflicts top the list at 51%. The next most common topics are the fight against sexual abuse and its prevention within the Church (32%), the situation of the most disadvantaged (26%), Europe and its future (17%), and immigration and the reception of migrants (16%). The rise in adult baptisms and conversions (6%), as well as evangelization (5%), remain marginal issues for the French.
Finally, when asked about the main consequence of Pope Leo XIV’s visit to France, it is interesting to note that 27% of the French believe it will have no particular consequence. A quarter of the French believe it will breathe new life into the Church in France (26%); a third of Catholics (36%); and 41% of practicing Catholics. One in ten French people believe it will strengthen the dialogue between believers and non-believers in France. Finally, 8% believe it will influence ethical and societal debates in France, and 6% believe it will influence the political debate leading up to the 2027 presidential election.
