President Donald Trump’s approval rating among Catholic voters has shown a notable rebound in recent polling, even as his public criticisms of Pope Leo XIV have intensified. According to a Fox News poll conducted April 17–20, 2026, Trump’s approval among Catholics stood at 51 percent approve to 49 percent disapprove, restoring him to net-positive territory with the group.01 This marks a reversal from the outlet’s March survey, where he was underwater at 48 percent approval and 52 percent disapproval. The uptick comes amid a high-profile feud sparked by disagreements over U.S. foreign policy, particularly military actions involving Iran, where the pope has advocated strongly for peace and criticized escalatory rhetoric.

The clash escalated in mid-April when Trump took to Truth Social to sharply rebuke the first American-born pontiff, calling him “weak on crime,” “terrible for foreign policy,” and too liberal while suggesting the Church selected Leo XIV partly as a counter to his administration. Despite these pointed attacks—which drew widespread media attention and initial concerns about alienating Catholic voters—Trump’s standing with the demographic improved. Analysts point to several possible factors: strong loyalty among conservative and white Catholic voters who prioritize issues like immigration, crime, and traditional values over Vatican statements on international conflicts; perceptions that the pope has waded too deeply into politics; or a broader rally-around-the-flag effect among Trump’s base. Trump won a majority of Catholic voters in 2024, and this resilience suggests that for many, policy alignment with the administration outweighs tensions with Church leadership.

This development highlights the complex dynamics within the U.S. Catholic community, which is not monolithic. While Pope Leo XIV enjoys high favorability ratings among American Catholics overall (often exceeding 70-80 percent in various surveys), a significant subset appears unfazed or even supportive of Trump’s combative style toward perceived liberal influences in the Church. The rebound could signal that Trump’s approach is energizing his core supporters without causing lasting damage among swing Catholic voters. However, sustained conflict risks broader alienation, especially among Hispanic Catholics or those more aligned with the pope’s emphasis on social justice and peace. As mid-term elections approach, both sides will be watching closely to see whether this episode strengthens or ultimately erodes Trump’s gains with this key voting bloc.

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