Pope Leo XIV became the first pontiff to vote in a U.S. general election
Pope Leo XIV became the first pontiff to vote in a U.S. general election, casting a mail-in ballot in Chicago, his birthplace, ahead of the November 3 midterms. The Holy See Press Office confirmed the vote on Friday. Conference public affairs director Chieko Noguchi said it encourages citizens to exercise their civic responsibility.
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Pope Leo XIV has become the first pontiff to vote in a United States general election, submitting a mail-in ballot in Chicago, where he was born. The Holy See Press Office confirmed Friday that the American citizen had voted ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, saying he acted in keeping with a longstanding practice of civic participation. A Vatican statement also said Leo voted during his years living in Peru whenever he was eligible, and expressed his belief in citizens’ right and duty to take part in democratic processes. Chieko Noguchi, the conference’s director of public affairs, said the pope’s vote “sets the example that encourages each citizen to exercise their civic responsibility.” All 435 seats in the House of Representatives are up for election.
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Al Jazeera reports that Pope Leo cast a mail-in ballot in Chicago and describes him as the first pontiff to vote in a U.S. general election. Vatican News also reports that he voted as a U.S. citizen via mail-in ballot, consistent with the proposed event.