The pontiff is viewed more favorably across party lines, although "consistent with the ideological differences in his ratings, he is liked better by Democrats than Republicans."

Fluent in English, Spanish and Italian, Pope Leo XIV has so far preferred to speak Italian in public settings. Some Vatican analysts worry that he's missing the chance to reach a wider audience.

The scars still borne by survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and still visible on the cities' streets and buildings are a plea to pursue peace and disarmament, Pope Leo XIV said.