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Pope Leo XIV becomes first pope to vote in an American election
Confirmed
In Short: 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 Press Office confirmed to Fox News Digital that Leo, the first American-born pope in the Catholic Church's more than 2,000-year history, submitted his ballot in Illinois.
Leo’s decision to vote reflects his belief in the right and duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes, as stated in a Vatican press release.
Father Hung Nguyen of Saint Isaac Jogues Catholic Church in Rapid City praised the pope’s civic engagement, saying, “We have a civic duty, a moral responsibility to participate in public life.”
The pope’s voting history shows he has cast ballots in every general election cycle since 2000, with the exception of 2020 and 2022.
The pope’s upcoming trip to Latin America, including stops in Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru, will be his first visit to Uruguay in nearly 40 years.
Leo’s decision to vote in the U.S. Midterm elections marks a significant moment in the history of the Catholic Church and highlights the unique position of the pope as both a spiritual leader and a U.S. Citizen.
The pope’s actions underscore the importance of civic participation and the role of faith in public life, as emphasized by the U.S. Bishops in their encouragement of Catholics to vote.
The pope’s decision to vote in the U.S. Midterm elections is a testament to his enduring faith in the democratic process and his commitment to the values of his native country.
What this adds
The pope’s upcoming trip to Uruguay marks the first visit to the country in nearly 40 years.
Leo’s decision to vote in the U.S. midterm elections is a significant moment in the history of the Catholic Church and highlights the unique position of the pope as both a spiritual leader and a U.S. citizen.
Background
Chicago Tribune: Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pope, has cast a mail-in ballot in the US midterm elections, marking a historic first.
Chicago native Pope Leo XIV has cast a mail-in ballot in Illinois' midterm elections, marking the first time a pontiff has voted in a US 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.
- 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.
- Unique among world leaders, the pope serves simultaneously as the universal spiritual head of the Catholic Church and as the head of the Holy See, a distinct sovereign entity under international law that serves as the central government of the Catholic Church.
- Simone Risoluti - Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty The first American pope just brought Hollywood to the Vatican.
- 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.
- The event, dubbed the Eternal City Tip-Off, was created to honor the first American pope.
- The following are the Pope’s remarks: Distinguished members of the American Jewish Committee, It is a pleasure to welcome you to the Vatican on this day when the Church remembers in a special way my beloved predecessor, Saint John Paul II, whose efforts contributed so greatly to fostering the friendship between Jews and Catholics.
- In May 1988, Pope Saint John Paul II spent four days in the country, following a visit in March 1987.
- (Courtesy of Will County) RELATED: Is an American pope still a US citizen?