Pope Leo XIV - An Unexpected Winner of the Year

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2025 December 23 . 3:18 AM

1 min read

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Pope Leo XIV - An Unexpected Winner of the Year - Pope Leo XIV - An Unexpected Winner of the Year

Trust in the Catholic Church has seen a slight improvement, rising to 14% in Germany. This shift comes after years of steady decline for both the papacy and churches. The change coincides with the election of Pope Leo XIV in May 2025, whose leadership has notably boosted the Vatican’s standing.

A recent survey by Forsa, conducted for Stern and RTL Germany between December 3 and 12, 2025, reveals shifting attitudes. The study included 4,025 respondents and highlights a significant rise in confidence toward Pope Leo XIV. His approval now stands at 28%, a 12-point jump from the previous year.

Among ideological institutions, the Central Council of Jews remains the most trusted at 35%. The Protestant Church follows with 28% trust, up one percentage point from last year. Meanwhile, Islam remains the least trusted institution overall, holding steady at 7%. The data also shows generational differences. Younger Germans aged 18 to 29 express more trust in Islam (17%) than in the Catholic Church (13%). Despite this, the Catholic Church’s overall reputation has edged upward, reversing a long-term downward trend.

Pope Leo XIV’s election appears to have revitalised trust in the papacy, particularly in Germany. The survey results suggest a modest recovery for the Catholic Church, though it still lags behind other institutions. The findings reflect broader trends in public confidence across religious and ideological groups.