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Pope Leo XIV has voted in the US congressional midterm elections as an American citizen, sending his ballot by post, the Holy See Press Office said.
“Pope Leo XIV has exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen whenever he has had the opportunity. The Holy See Press Office confirms that, in keeping with this established tradition of civic participation, the pontiff has sent his ballot by post to Chicago,” the statement said.
The press office noted that he had also voted absentee while living in Peru before becoming a cleric.
“The Pope considers citizens’ participation in democratic processes both a right and a duty,” his press office said.
Leo XIV holds Peruvian citizenship in addition to US citizenship.
The US congressional midterm elections will take place on 3 November. One-third of Senate seats and all seats in the House of Representatives will be contested. Both chambers of Congress are currently controlled by the Republican Party.