{
  "id": 17244974,
  "title": "Pope Leo XIV becomes first pontiff to vote in a US election",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/pope-leo-xiv-becomes-first-pontiff-to-vote-in-a-us-election-17244974",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-30T15:10:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Capital FM Kenya",
    "slug": "capital-fm-kenya",
    "url": "https://capitalfm.africa/pope-leo-xiv-becomes-first-pontiff-to-vote-in-a-us-election/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "VATICAN, October 30 – Pope Leo XIV has cast his vote in an Illinois midterm election, making history as the first-ever pontiff to participate in a US election, according to the Holy See Press Office. \"The Holy Father expresses his belief in the right and the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes,\" the press office confirmed. Born in Chicago, Pope Leo became the first US citizen to hold the Vatican's highest position following his selection in May 2025. Since then, he has found himself at odds with the Trump administration over matters such as immigration enforcement and the US-Israel-Iran conflict.\n\nThe Holy See Press Office emphasized that the Pope voted in accordance with his eligibility as a United States citizen, both during his time in Peru and now in the United States. Midterm elections, which determine which political party will control Congress, are set to take place on November 3. Early voting has already commenced in various states. The Pope formally requested his mail-in ballot from the Will County Clerk’s Office on October 3.",
  "summary": "\"The Holy Father expresses his belief in the right and the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes,\" the Holy See Press Office said in a statement.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 12,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Pope Leo XIV has become the first pope in history to vote in a US general election",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/pope-leo-xiv-has-become-the-first-pope-in-history-to-vote-in-a-us-17230881",
        "published": "2026-10-30T13:02:53.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News (US)",
        "title": "Pope Leo XIV has become the first pope in history to vote in a US election",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/pope-leo-xiv-has-become-the-first-pope-in-history-to-vote-in-a-us",
        "published": "2026-10-30T13:22:31.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Fortune",
        "title": "Pope Leo XIV becomes the first pope to vote in a U.S. general election — he’s requested GOP primary ballots 3 times and Democratic twice",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/pope-leo-xiv-becomes-the-first-pope-to-vote-in-a-u-s-general-election",
        "published": "2026-10-30T13:42:11.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "Pope Leo becomes first pope ever to vote in US election, submits mail-in ballot",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/pope-leo-becomes-first-pope-ever-to-vote-in-us-election-submits-mail",
        "published": "2026-10-30T14:02:26.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBS News",
        "title": "Pope Leo becomes first pontiff to vote in a U.S. election",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/pope-leo-becomes-first-pontiff-to-vote-in-a-u-s-election",
        "published": "2026-10-30T14:20:22.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Axios",
        "title": "Pope Leo XIV becomes first pope to vote in U.S. election",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/pope-leo-xiv-becomes-first-pope-to-vote-in-u-s-election",
        "published": "2026-10-30T15:07:20.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Hill",
        "title": "Leo XIV becomes first pope ever to vote in US general election",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/leo-xiv-becomes-first-pope-ever-to-vote-in-us-general-election",
        "published": "2026-10-30T15:25:33.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times - World News",
        "title": "Pope Leo XIV makes history as first sitting pontiff to vote in US elections",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/pope-leo-xiv-makes-history-as-first-sitting-pontiff-to-vote-in-us",
        "published": "2026-10-30T15:37:38.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "DW News",
        "title": "US midterms: Pope Leo XIV casts vote by mail",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/us-midterms-pope-leo-xiv-casts-vote-by-mail",
        "published": "2026-10-30T16:14:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "PBS NewsHour",
        "title": "Leo XIV has become the first pope in history to vote in a U.S. general election",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/leo-xiv-has-become-the-first-pope-in-history-to-vote-in-a-u-s-general",
        "published": "2026-10-30T16:53:35.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "KahawaTungu",
        "title": "Pope Leo XIV becomes first pontiff to vote in a US election",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/pope-leo-xiv-becomes-first-pontiff-to-vote-in-a-us-election-17261286",
        "published": "2026-10-30T17:02:35.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}