Pope Leo XIV has voted in the United States midterm elections, becoming the first known pope to participate in a political election while serving as head of the Catholic Church.
The Vatican confirmed on Friday that the Chicago-born pontiff submitted his mail-in ballot in Chicago, exercising his rights as a US citizen ahead of the November 3 elections.
According to a statement from the Vatican, the Pope believes citizens have both a right and a responsibility to participate in democratic processes.
The Holy See Press Office said Leo had voted whenever he was eligible during his time as a US citizen.
It also confirmed that he exercised the same right while living in Peru, where he spent nearly two decades working as a missionary and later serving as a bishop.
The development marks the first known instance of a sitting pope voting in a political election.
Pope Leo’s Differences With Trump
The Pope’s participation in the election comes amid tensions with US President Donald Trump over several policy issues.
Earlier this year, Leo and Trump exchanged criticism over the US administration’s immigration crackdown and the war involving Iran.
Trump had described the pontiff as “weak” on crime and “terrible” on foreign policy.
In response, Leo declared that he was “not afraid” of the US president.
Pope Leo Holds US and Peruvian Citizenship
Before becoming pope, Leo XIV was known as Robert Francis Prevost.
Born in Chicago, he holds both American and Peruvian citizenship and spent nearly 20 years in Peru as a missionary and bishop before his election to the papacy.
The Vatican confirmed that his participation in elections was not limited to the United States, noting that he also voted during his years of residence in Peru whenever eligible.
The US midterm elections are scheduled for November 3, with voters set to elect members of Congress and decide several state-level political contests.
