US midterms: Pope Leo XIV casts vote by mail

Pope Leo XIV made history by voting in a US midterm election, becoming the first pontiff to participate in a US election. The Holy See Press Office announced the act, stating that "The Holy Father expresses his belief in the right and the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes." Pope Leo, who is originally from Chicago, is the first US citizen to hold the Vatican's highest seat. His decision to vote came after he requested a mail-in ballot from the Will County Clerk's Office on October 3, 2025.

The Pope's decision to vote has not gone unnoticed, especially amidst the ongoing tensions between him and the Trump administration. In April, Pope Leo criticized President Trump for his stance on the US-Israel war with Iran. The Pope called for peace, stating that "The mission of the Church is to preach the Gospel, to preach peace." Trump, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the Pope's stance, saying, "I don’t think he's doing a very good job... I’m not a big fan of Pope Leo."

In the weeks leading up to the midterms, both Republican and Democratic officials have been actively campaigning across the country. Polls suggest that Democrats are favored to gain control of the lower chamber of Congress, the House of Representatives, and could also win additional seats in the Senate. This potential shift in power has led to President Trump holding rallies in states that are typically Republican strongholds, despite the gloomy outlook for his party.