Pope Francis Is Very Popular Among U.S. Catholics

One year into his papacy, Pope Francis has won the hearts of 68% of American Catholics, according to a new poll.

Only a paltry one percent have a negative opinion of the 266th Vicar of Christ, reports CBS, and his popularity is spread pretty evenly between female and male adherents.

This esteem trounces his most recent predecessors — Pope Benedict XVI garnered just 40% approval and Pope John Paul II only merited 59%. And the outlook could get even rosier for the first South American pontiff; Pope John Paul’s favorability actually soared to 92% upon his death — a mixed blessing for someone who knew more than most about blessings.

[CBS]