Pope Leo XIV’s firm stance against Trump gains majority support in Spain according to survey

The firm stance of Pope Leo XIV against U.S. President Donald Trump has resonated with a majority of Spanish society, according to a recent survey. Nearly 70% of respondents support the Pope’s rejection of war as a solution to conflicts, particularly in response to the bellicose actions of the U.S. and Israel toward Iran. Conversely, only 7.6% view this position negatively. Similarly, 57.1% of Spaniards back the Pope’s open criticism of Trump’s mass deportation policies, compared to 12.7% who hold an opposing view. These findings come from a special survey conducted by 40dB for EL PAÍS and the SER Chain, carried out in the lead-up to Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Spain, which begins this Saturday.

The Pope’s visit has generated anticipation, especially regarding his messages on issues linked to progressivism, particularly immigration. Spain, a predominantly conservative Catholic nation, is expected to receive a clear stance from the Pope on these matters. The survey, which interviewed 2,000 individuals between May 28 and June 1, highlights widespread support for the Pope’s positions, which are seen as a stand against the ultra-authoritarian international right, with Trump as a central figure.

Among the Pope’s more controversial stances, 40.4% of respondents support his encyclical on the risks of artificial intelligence, while 11.7% oppose it, interpreting it as an attack on technoligarchs, many of whom are associated with Trump. The Pope’s focus on immigration during his visit, including a stop in the Canary Islands, is supported by 45.1% of respondents, with 17% opposing it. Despite this, support for the Pope’s positions is not confined to any single political group.

Support for the Pope’s positions is generally stronger among left-wing voters than right-wing voters, with the exception of immigration. Vox voters, for instance, are more likely to see a negative focus on immigration as a drawback. However, the Pope’s planned speech in Congress on Monday is viewed positively by a higher percentage (48%) than those who see it as inadequate (33.3%).

Public interest in the Pope’s first pastoral journey to Spain since 2011 remains moderate, with an average interest rating of 4 out of 10. Nonetheless, the majority of Spaniards hold a positive view of Pope Leo XIV and his papacy, with 44.5% expressing support compared to 6.5% who hold a negative view. This positive sentiment is observed across all political parties, though it is more pronounced among voters of the country’s two historic political forces.

Pope Leo XIV is not the most favored pope among Spaniards, with Pope Francis, his predecessor, still holding that distinction. However, the current Pope shares many of Francis’s core messages, particularly in areas such as social justice and care for the marginalized. This alignment reflects a broader trend of public support for moral and ethical leadership in times of global and local challenges.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Spanish)