Pope Leo XIV votes by mail in the U.S. midterms
The Vatican confirmed Friday that Pope Leo XIV, who was born in Chicago, submitted a mail-in ballot in the U.S. midterm elections. He is registered in New Lenox, Illinois, in Will County, and requested the ballot on Oct. 3. He is believed to be the first pope to vote in a U.S. election. The Vatican said he "expresses his belief in the right and the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes." How he voted was not disclosed.
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Why it matters
Illinois election officials say any registered Illinois voter can vote by mail, and U.S. citizens living overseas have that right under federal law. The Vatican did not say how the pope voted.
Sources
- Chicago Sun-Times: Vatican confirms Pope Leo voted in midterm election
- America Magazine: Vatican confirms Pope Leo voted by mail
- CNN Wire via Westfair: Pope Leo XIV votes in US midterms
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