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Pope Leo XIV Votes in US Election, Credits God and Doctors for Recovery

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Faith Desk

In Short: Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff, voted in the US midterm elections and credited his recovery from cancer to divine intervention and medical care.

Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff, expressed pride in voting in the US midterm elections, marking the first time a sitting pope has exercised this right.

In a statement, the Vatican confirmed that Leo had voted in the midterm elections, adding that he had always sought to vote when possible.

Leo, who became a US citizen, voted in Illinois via mail-in ballot, a practice he has followed since 2000, casting ballots in both primary and general elections.

The pope, who also holds Peruvian citizenship, emphasized his belief in the importance of civic participation and the right of citizens to engage in democratic processes.

Leo acknowledged that he had not yet had the chance to play tennis since his surgery but expressed optimism about his recovery.

He credited his recovery to 'trusting God, good doctors, good surgeons, and overall I think a healthy lifestyle,' highlighting the importance of early detection and regular checkups.

The pope departed from Rome's Leonardo da Vinci International Airport for Montevideo, Uruguay, at the start of his twelve-day apostolic journey to South America.

When asked about the midterm election results, Leo declined to comment, focusing instead on his gratitude for his recovery and the opportunity to continue his papal duties.

Background

What's confirmed

• The 71-year-old pope is on a three-nation, 12-day tour just three weeks after he underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his right lung.
• "But I would have done it. It's a good thing," he said, according to the AP.
• Pope Leo XIV departs from Rome's Leonardo da Vinci International Airport in Fiumicino, near Rome, for Montevideo, Uruguay, at the start of his twelve-day apostolic journey to South America, Friday, Nov. 6, 2026.
• In the Oct. 30 statement, the Vatican said that Leo had voted “whenever he was eligible to do so” as evidence of his belief in civic participation.
• The pope, however, likes to shape-shift a bit when it suits him on particularly delicate matters.
• Peter — after his election as pope on May 8, 2025.
• The pope did not give any reaction to the US midterm election results while on board and said “no comment” when asked about the outcome in Texas which saw the traditionally Republican state elect Democrat Senator James Talarico.

What's still developing

• The cancer, identified as a lung adenocarcinoma, was discovered accidentally during a routine abdominal examination, his doctors said.
• The Holy Father said he was proud to be able to vote in his home state's midterm election, and also called on health care as a "right for everyone."
• Launched in 2013, Aleteia is a free online daily news publication.
• According to the Vatican, doctors have said that Leo XIV's cancer was detected at an early stage during routine checks, that the surgery successfully removed the cancer and that he needs no further treatment.
• The pope has a long history of civic engagement in the U.S., the Vatican said, confirming that during his nearly two decades as a missionary and then bishop in Peru, Leo voted whenever he was eligible.

Sources

• CBS Newslink
• Corsicana Daily Sunlink
• Eagle-Tribunelink
• Marietta Daily Journallink
• Ottumwa Courierlink
• Religionnewslink
• The Grand Junction Daily Sentinellink
• aleteia.orglink
• Kdrvlink
• Gulfcoastnewsnowlink
• Cruxnowlink
• WarpBeat — background on American Pope Leo XIV Votes in US Midterms link
• WarpBeat — background on Pope Leo XIV Votes in US Midterm Elections link
• ABC 7 Chicago — video link