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Pope: I am proud to be an American
Confirmed
In Short: Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, voted in the U.S. midterm election, expressing pride in his American citizenship.
Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, cast his vote in the U.S. Midterm election, marking a historic moment as the first sitting pontiff to exercise his right to vote in a U.S. Election.
Pope Leo XIV underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his right lung just three weeks ago. Despite his health concerns, he was cleared to travel on October 26 and embarked on a three-nation, 12-day tour of South America.
The Vatican confirmed that the pope had cast an absentee ballot in his home state's midterm election, emphasizing his belief in the importance of civic engagement.
Pope Leo XIV has a long history of civic engagement in the U.S., having voted whenever he was eligible during his nearly two decades as a missionary and then bishop in Peru.
The Holy See press office stated that the pope 'has exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen, whenever he was eligible to do so,' reflecting his commitment to democratic processes.
During his press conference, Pope Leo XIV also shared his gratitude for his recovery, attributing it to 'faith in God, good doctors, and a healthy lifestyle.'
Pope Leo XIV’s decision to vote in the U.S. Midterm election highlights the intersection of his religious duties and his civic responsibilities as an American citizen.
The pope’s actions underscore the significance of democratic participation and the importance of engaging in the political process, even for those in high-profile positions.
Pope Leo XIV’s journey to South America began on November 6, 2026, with a departure from Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci International Airport.
Background
Pope Leo XIV, who underwent lung cancer surgery three weeks ago, embarked on an 12-day tour of South America on Friday, beginning in Montevideo, Uruguay.
Pope Leo XIV departed Rome for Montevideo, Uruguay, on Nov. 6, 2026, starting an 12-day tour of South America.
What's confirmed
- The pope, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, "has exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen, whenever he was eligible to do so," the Holy See press office said in an Oct. 30 statement.
- 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.
What's still developing
- Simone Risoluti - Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty The first American pope just brought Hollywood to the Vatican.