I don’t think most people would believe the actual answer to that question if Pope Francis said it himself. I’m still sort of bowled over at the huge welcoming reception the Pope received in America. I know that at least half of that is contrived, because of his leftist views on money and morality. However, I think the other portion of that love was just as it appeared. I believe many American Christians and other faiths are spiritually hungry for actual fulfillment.
The atheist media loves him because they see that he's working to end Christianity.
I do sense that many, many American Christians and it does include Catholics are hungry for a real faith relationship with God.