Vatican City, Oct 31:
Pope Leo XIV has become the first sitting pope in history to vote in a United States general election, casting his ballot by mail in the Illinois midterm elections scheduled for November 3.
The Vatican confirmed on Friday that the Chicago-born pontiff had submitted his mail-in ballot in Chicago. The Holy See Press Office said he had exercised his right to vote as a US citizen, whenever eligible, and reiterated his belief that participation in democratic processes was both a right and a duty.
The 71-year-old Pope, formerly known as Robert Francis Prevost, holds US and Peruvian citizenship. He had also voted in elections while living in Peru, where he served as a missionary priest and bishop for more than 20 years.
According to reports, he requested his ballot on October 3 through the Will County Clerk’s office in Illinois. The election will decide the state’s gubernatorial contest and an open US Senate seat, besides other legislative races.
Records show that Prevost had voted in several US elections since 2000 and had participated in both Democratic and Republican primaries. However, the Vatican did not disclose the candidates for whom he voted.
Pope Leo has closely followed political developments in the US and has spoken on issues including immigration, war and the death penalty. His remarks have occasionally drawn criticism from President Donald Trump.