Pope voted in U.S. election because he's "proud to be an American"

Pope Leo XIV, the first sitting pontiff to cast a ballot in a U.S. election, expressed his pride in being an American and exercising his right to vote. His statement, made during a 12-day trip to Latin America, came after the Vatican confirmed that the U.S.-born pontiff had voted via mail-in ballot in his hometown of Chicago. The outcome of the midterm elections, which saw the Democrats gain control of Congress, was not discussed by the pope.

Instead, he emphasized his long-standing belief in civic participation, as stated by the Vatican last week. The Holy Father has a history of voting whenever he was eligible, both as a missionary and bishop in Peru, and holds both U.S. and Peruvian citizenship. Despite being unable to vote in Peru's recent election due to absentee ballot restrictions, the pope expressed his willingness to do so.

Recently recovering from lung cancer surgery, the 71-year-old pope is on a three-nation tour following his successful operation on October 17.