Pope Leo XIV Makes History as First Pope to Vote in a US Election

Pope Leo XIV has made history by becoming the first pope to cast a vote in a U.S. general election. The Holy See confirmed that the Chicago-born pontiff submitted a mail-in ballot ahead of the November 3 midterms, according to The Associated Press. Pope Leo, formerly known as Robert Prevost, exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen, the Vatican press office stated.

Despite undergoing surgery for a cancerous lung tumor in early October, Pope Leo has gradually resumed his duties. The voting record of the pontiff, who was registered at a New Lenox address in Illinois, was confirmed by the Will County clerk's office. The exact path of the ballot back to Illinois is unknown. Illinois voters were choosing between re-electing Governor JB Pritzker and filling a vacant Senate seat.

Pope Leo's decision to vote reflects his consistent pattern of participation in elections throughout his life, with records showing he has voted in five primary elections since 2000 while residing in both Democratic and Republican-leaning areas. His vote comes amid a public dispute with former President Donald Trump, who labeled the pope as weak and aligned with the radical left.

However, Pope Leo has maintained that he remains unconcerned by Trump's comments and will continue to speak out against war. The pontiff's symbolic choice to vote reflects his desire to remain above the political fray and uphold the principles of democracy.