Americans have an overwhelmingly positive view of Pope Francis, with just six percent of respondents in a new NBC News/ Wall Street Journal poll saying they view the pontiff negatively. As many around the country prepare to celebrate Easter this weekend, 55 percent of Americans said they view Pope Francis positively, with 34 percent saying they give him a "very positive" rating. Twenty-four percent said they are neutral and 15 percent said they were not sure. Pope Francis, who was named Time Magazine's Person of the Year in 2013, has pushed for reforms within the church's organization, emphasized the plight of the very poor and called for more compassion for gays and lesbians.
