Pope Leo XIV becomes first pontiff to vote in US election, submits mail-in ballot from Chicago

Pope Leo XIV has become the first pontiff in history to vote in a political election, submitting a mail-in ballot from Chicago for the US midterm elections scheduled for November 3. The Vatican confirmed Friday that the Chicago-born pope—Robert Francis Prevost before his election—exercised his right as a US citizen, calling it a "long-standing practice of civic participation" reflecting the Church's belief in "the right and duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes."

The 69-year-old pontiff, who also holds Peruvian citizenship after nearly two decades as a missionary and bishop in Peru, has voted in Peruvian elections during his residence there. This marks the first known instance of a pope participating in any national election.

The move comes amid a public rift with US President Donald Trump, who previously called the pope "weak" on crime and "terrible" on foreign policy after Leo criticized the administration's immigration crackdown and stance on Iran. The pope responded he was "not afraid" of Trump.

For Nigeria's 30 million Catholics, the precedent signals that spiritual leadership and civic engagement aren't mutually exclusive. The midterms will determine control of Congress and shape US policy on issues affecting Africa—trade, aid, and security cooperation.

With the election days away, the pope's ballot is already cast. Will other religious leaders follow suit in demonstrating that faith and civic duty go hand in hand?

SOURCE: https://www.channelstv.com/2026/10/30/pope-leo-xiv-voted-in-us-midterm-elections-vatican/