Pope Leo XIV has become the first pope to cast a ballot in a US general election, voting by mail in Illinois from the Vatican in Tuesday’s midterm elections.
The Vatican confirmed on Friday that the 71-year-old pontiff, who was born Robert Prevost in Chicago, had exercised his right to vote as an American citizen.
Leo has taken part in US elections whenever he was eligible, including during his years living in Peru. The Vatican said he believes citizens have both a right and a duty to participate in the democratic process.
He reportedly requested his ballot on 3 October, 10 days before undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous tumour from his right lung.
Doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital after he was diagnosed with lung cancer earlier this month. He was discharged on 17 October and has since been gradually returning to his duties at the Vatican.
It is not known which candidates received the pope’s vote. His voting history shows that he has participated in both Democratic and Republican primaries over the years.
The historic ballot was cast after Leo had publicly clashed with President Trump over issues including immigration and war, although there is no indication of which candidates had his support.
