Pope Leo XIV casts ballot in US midterm elections, Vatican confirms

OPA WIRE, Oct 30 (OPA) — The Vatican Press Office announced Friday that Pope Leo XIV participated in the upcoming U.S. midterm elections via mail-in ballot. The statement noted that the 71-year-old pontiff, who holds U.S. citizenship, also exercised his right to vote during his previous years of residency in Peru. The Holy See emphasized the Pope’s belief in the civic duty of citizens to engage in democratic processes.

Leo, born in Chicago, remains eligible to vote in Illinois, where contests for the U.S. Senate and the state governorship are on the ballot. The gubernatorial race features incumbent Democrat JB Pritzker against Republican challenger Darren Bailey and independent candidate Collin Corbett. The Vatican’s disclosure highlights the intersection of the Pope’s American roots and his current global office.

The November 3 elections will determine the composition of Congress for the final two years of President Donald Trump’s term. Since his inauguration in January 2025, President Trump has frequently criticized the Pope, labeling him "weak on crime" and questioning his foreign policy approach. In an April post on Truth Social, Trump alleged the Pope’s selection was a strategic move by the church to manage relations with his administration.

Despite the friction, the Pope has maintained a critical stance regarding U.S. immigration policies and the administration’s posture toward Iran. As the midterm cycle reaches its conclusion, the Pope’s participation underscores his continued engagement with American political affairs. The results of the November 3 vote are expected to significantly influence the legislative landscape for the remainder of the Trump presidency.