Pope Leo XIV has made history as the first sitting pope to cast a vote in a U.S. general election. The Vatican announced on Friday that the 71-year-old, originally from Chicago, chose to participate as an American citizen by submitting a mail-in ballot in Illinois prior to the midterm elections on Tuesday.
Determined to ensure his vote was counted, Pope Leo reportedly requested his ballot on October 3, just ten days before he underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his right lung. Vatican sources indicated that he has consistently engaged in U.S. elections whenever eligible, even during his time living in Peru.
The U.S. Council of Catholic Bishops commended Pope Leo for his decision. Chieko Noguchi, a spokesperson, noted that the Holy Father sets an exemplary standard encouraging citizens to fulfill their civic duties. Noguchi emphasized that it’s important for Catholics to inform their conscience while voting and to support human dignity and the common good.
It’s worth mentioning that Pope Leo has had public disagreements with President Donald Trump, particularly on immigration and war. While the Vatican did not disclose who the pope voted for, reports suggest he has a history of participating in both Democratic and Republican primaries over the years.
