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Pope Leo becomes first pontiff to vote in US general election
Al Jazeera • • nation
Key Points:
- Pope Leo XIV, born in Chicago and a U.S. citizen, has become the first pontiff to vote in a U.S. general election by casting a mail-in ballot ahead of the November 3 midterms, emphasizing his belief in civic participation.
- The Vatican confirmed Leo’s vote but did not disclose his candidate choices; the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops praised his example, urging voters to prioritize faith and human dignity over politics.
- Leo holds citizenship in the U.S., Peru, and the Vatican, and has a history of voting in Illinois primaries with both Democratic and Republican ballots, reflecting his engagement as a regular voter.
- Despite his dual roles, U.S. law permits citizens abroad to vote absentee, though citizenship status can be reviewed for Americans serving as foreign heads of state, a category that includes the pope.
- Since becoming pope in 2025, Leo has clashed publicly with former President Donald Trump over issues including the U.S.-Israel war on Iran and immigration policies, with Trump criticizing the pontiff as “weak” and aligned with the “radical left.”
