Pope Francis' approval rating dips in U.S. ahead of September visit - poll

BOSTON (Reuters) - Pope Francis' approval rating in the United States has dropped during the past year, according to a new poll, with conservatives and Roman Catholics taking a cooler view of the prelate after his strong warning on environmental crises and criticism of the excesses of capitalism.

The pope, who is due to visit the United States in September, still is warmly regarded by most Americans, with 59 percent telling the Gallup polling service they view him favourably. That figure is down from 76 percent a year ago but in line with his favourability rating shortly after he was named to lead the 1.2 billion-member church in March 2013.