US midterms: Pope Leo XIV casts vote by mail

Pope Leo XIV, a 71-year-old US citizen born in Chicago, has cast his ballot in this year's midterms by mail, making history as the first pontiff to do so. The Holy See's press office confirmed the news on Friday. The pontiff applied for a postal ballot on October 3, according to US media reports. Records show that Pope Leo has voted in every general election since 2000, excluding 2020 and 2022, as well as five primary elections.

He also held Peruvian citizenship during his time as a bishop in Peru and voted whenever eligible while living in South America. The Holy Father emphasizes the importance of citizens participating in democratic processes. As the United States prepares to vote in the midterm elections, all House of Representatives seats and about one-third of Senate positions are up for grabs.

Illinois voters are deciding whether to re-elect Governor JB Pritzker for a third term and fill a vacant Senate seat following the retirement of Catholic Democrat Dick Durbin. The Pope's voting history and political beliefs have put him at odds with US President Donald Trump and his administration, with the pontiff criticizing Trump on several issues.