Leo XIV becomes first pope ever to vote in US general election

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV has become the first pope to vote in a U.S. general election.

The Vatican confirmed Friday that the Chicago-born pontiff submitted a mail-in ballot in Chicago ahead of next week’s midterm elections, citing his long-standing belief in civic participation.

Leo, formerly Robert Prevost, “has exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen” and has done so “whenever he was eligible to do so,” the Holy See press office said.

The statement said he had also voted while living in Peru whenever he was eligible.

“The Holy Father expresses his belief in the right and the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes,” it added.

Leo’s vote was first reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, which quoted the chief of staff at the Will........

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