Pope Leo XIV has voted in the US midterm elections, becoming the first pope to take part in an American election, Vatican media officially confirmed. The head of the world’s Catholics exercised his franchise as the United States prepares for a closely watched round of polling.
The midterm elections are scheduled for November 3, while early voting is already under way in several states. The Pope participated in the early voting process in Illinois, registering his vote in Chicago through a mail-in ballot, which allows voters to submit their ballots by post instead of visiting a polling station.
Born in Chicago, Robert Prevost took charge as Pope Leo XIV in May last year. A US citizen, he has reportedly voted whenever the opportunity arose. Vatican sources said he also cast his vote in American elections while serving in Peru.
According to Vatican sources, the Pope regards voting not merely as a legal right but as a fundamental responsibility of every citizen in a democracy. While serving as the spiritual leader of hundreds of millions of people worldwide, he has also taken part in the democratic process as a citizen.
The development has drawn wide attention, becoming a major talking point in international media and on social media platforms.