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American Pope Leo XIV Votes in U.S. Midterms
Confirmed
In Short: Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pope, cast his ballot in the U.S. midterm elections from Chicago.
The Vatican confirmed Friday that Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, submitted a mail-in ballot in his native Chicago ahead of the midterm elections.
The Holy See stated that the pope exercises his right to vote whenever eligible, reflecting his belief in the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes.
Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope in the Catholic Church's more than 2,000-year history, remains a U.S. citizen despite his role as the head of the Holy See, a distinct sovereign entity.
The pope’s decision to vote marks a historic moment, as no previous pope has cast a ballot in a U.S. election.
Leo’s absentee ballot submission highlights the unique dual role he holds as both the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church and a U.S. citizen.
In a recent statement, the Vatican press office confirmed that the 71-year-old pope underwent medical tests, which showed steady improvement in his overall condition.
Pope Leo XIV also addressed the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, calling for renewed commitment to peace and reflecting on the significance of the event.
During his upcoming trip to Latin America, the pope will meet with survivors of clergy sexual abuse in Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru.
Leo’s actions and statements underscore his commitment to both his religious duties and his civic responsibilities as an American citizen.
What this adds
The Vatican's confirmation of Leo XIV's voting marks a significant shift in papal tradition, as no previous pope has voted in a U.S. election.
What's confirmed
- The Vatican confirmed Friday that the American-born pope submitted a mail-in ballot in his native Chicago ahead of November's midterm elections, citing his longstanding belief in civic participation.
- VATICAN CITY – Pope Leo XIV, history's first American pope, called for a renewed commitment to peace on Sunday as he marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks on his home country.
- In it, the future American pope reflected on the attacks.
What's still developing
- Leo, who has mostly lived outside of the U.S. since the 1980s, “has exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen, whenever he was eligible to do so,” the Holy See said in a statement provided to EWTN News.
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- The Holy Father, the first pope from the United States, is still a U.S.
- The United States was established in 1776, about 18 centuries after the founding of the Catholic Church.
- Simone Risoluti - Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty The first American pope just brought Hollywood to the Vatican.
- I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all Americans on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
- In marking this anniversary, it is important to recognize that freedom of religion has long been central to the American promise, protecting both individual dignity and the peaceful coexistence of a diverse people.
- For two and a half centuries, generations of Americans have worked together to carry these principles forward — through sacrifice, service, innovation and civic participation.
- In a recently released documentary by EWTN on Pope Leo XIV, Liliana Loaya Días recounts her initial amazement upon hearing him say some words in Quechua: “No way, an American speaking Quechua!” she said.
- Rumors circulated early on that the Pope with Peruvian nationality speaks this South American language, but he hasn’t spoken it publicly since his election.
- Right from day one of his pontificate, rumors circulated that he had learned this native South American language during his time in Peru.
- A renewed call for world peace was issued Sunday by Pope Leo XIV, history’s first American pontiff, as he commemorated the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 Islamic terrorist attacks on his home country with a call to prayer for those innocents who paid with their lives.