Pope Leo XIV, the leader of the world's Catholics, became the first known pope to vote in a general election in the United States by sending a mail-in ballot in the US midterm elections. The Vatican announced Friday that Pope Leo XIV had exercised his right to vote as an American citizen and had cast his ballot in Chicago. The Vatican press office said that during his stay in Peru, the Pope also exercised his right to vote whenever he was eligible. The Vatican emphasized in a statement that the Pope believes in the right and duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes.

Pope Leo XIV, the leader of the world's Catholics, became the first known pope to vote in a general election in the United States by sending a mail-in ballot in the US midterm elections. The Vatican announced Friday that Pope Leo XIV had exercised his right to vote as an American citizen and had cast his ballot in Chicago. The Vatican press office said that during his stay in Peru, the Pope also exercised his right to vote whenever he was eligible. The Vatican emphasized in a statement that the Pope believes in the right and duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes.