Pope Leo XIV Casts First Papal Vote in U.S. Midterms Amid Ongoing Tensions with White House
Pope Leo XIV has become the first pontiff to vote in a U.S. general election, submitting a mail-in ballot for the November 3 midterms. The Vatican confirmed the Chicago-born leader exercised his civic duty as a U.S. citizen, a move that underscores his belief in democratic participation despite ongoing public disputes with President Donald Trump. Leo, who holds dual citizenship and serves as head of state for the Holy See, has voted in previous cycles, including both Republican and Democratic primaries. His participation occurs shortly after his recovery from lung cancer surgery and amidst a cooling of relations between the Vatican and the White House, with the Holy See citing a lack of necessity for direct high-level contact with the U.S. administration.
