Daniel del Castillo González
Pope Leo XIV could make history with a ballot. The Pope has cast his vote by mail for the U.S. midterm elections, scheduled for November 3.
This was confirmed by the Holy See.
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Pope Leo XIV exercised his right to vote as a U.S. citizen whenever he had the opportunity. The Holy See Press Office confirms that, in keeping with this long-standing practice of civic participation, the Pope mailed his ballot to Chicago.
Before it was confirmed, a Rome Reports investigation found Robert Francis Prevost’s registration in the voter registry of New Lenox, a town near Chicago.
The fact that Prevost is the pope and lives in the Vatican does not prevent him from participating. He was born in Chicago in 1955 and retains his U.S. citizenship.
In addition, the Code of Canon Law stipulates that clergy members must not actively participate in political parties, but it does not address voting.
Midterm elections are held halfway through the presidential term. Americans will elect all 435 members of the House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate.
Midterm elections are held halfway through the presidential term. Americans will elect new members to all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate.
This political initiative by the pope is joined by that of the U.S. bishops, who have called on Catholics to vote.
Several church leaders in the United States have called for “putting faith before politics” and are encouraging the faithful to evaluate candidates according to the Church’s social doctrine.
As the Vatican statement notes, this is not his first time voting; he also cast his ballot from Peru.
Records show nine previous votes: five primaries and four general elections since 2008, and this will be his 10th vote, his first as Pope Leo XIV.
In addition, the news has once again brought the relationship between Pope Leo XIV and Trump into the spotlight. Two world leaders with opposing ideas and solutions. Does this mean that Pope Leo XIV won't vote for the Republicans?
His vote is secret, but his older brother, Louis Prevost, has declared himself a supporter of the MAGA movement and has shared messages of support for Trump and criticism of the Democrats.
This vote comes ahead of a possible trip by Pope Leo XIV to his homeland, as Archbishop Paul Gallagher noted, although it could even be delayed until after the 2028 U.S. elections.
