Pope Leo XIV, who made history as the first sitting pontiff to cast a ballot in a United States election, stated on Friday that he is “proud to be an American and to exercise my right” to vote.
His comments were delivered to journalists aboard his flight to Latin America, where he is embarking on a 12-day visit. The remarks followed the Vatican’s confirmation that the American-born pope had submitted a mail-in ballot from his hometown of Chicago. He chose not to address the results of the midterm elections, which handed congressional control to the Democrats in what was widely viewed as a rebuke of President Trump. Rather than elaborating on the political outcome, he directed attention to a statement previously issued by the Vatican, which underscored his enduring commitment to civic participation.
The pope, who formerly served as Cardinal Robert Prevost, “has exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen, whenever he was eligible to do so,” the Holy See press office stated in an October 30 release.
“The Holy Father expresses his belief in the right and the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes,” the Vatican said in a statement.
The Vatican further noted that the pope has a longstanding history of civic engagement, confirming that throughout his nearly two decades of service as a missionary and later as a bishop in Peru, Leo consistently voted whenever he was legally permitted to do so. He holds dual citizenship in both the United States and Peru.
According to a report by The Associated Press, Leo , then known as Robert Prevost , had previously participated in five primary elections since the year 2000, casting ballots on the Democratic ticket in 2008 and 2019, and on the Republican ticket in 2012, 2014, and 2016.
On Friday, Leo acknowledged that he had been unable to participate in Peru’s most recent election, as absentee voting “isn’t possible” there.
“But I would have done it. It’s a good thing,” he said, according to the AP.
It is worth noting that United States federal law permits American citizens to retain their citizenship even when employed by foreign governments.
The 71-year-old pontiff is currently undertaking a three-nation, 12-day tour, just three weeks after undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his right lung. He received medical clearance to travel on October 26, approximately two weeks following the procedure.
“I am very happy to be here myself. I know some people were doubtful about this trip taking place,” Leo told reporters when he greeted them in the back of the plane. “I confess that from the first day, I had no doubt. I was convinced that this trip had to go forward and very happy to say, praise the Lord and thanks to wonderful medical assistance, I am here today, I think, in fairly good shape.”
He did, however, acknowledge that he had not yet had the opportunity to play tennis.
“Not yet, but I will,” he said.
On October 13, surgeons removed the lower lobe of Leo’s right lung following the discovery of a malignant tumor. The cancer, classified as a lung adenocarcinoma, was identified incidentally during a routine abdominal examination, according to his medical team. The procedure was completed successfully and without complications, and Leo was discharged from the hospital on October 17.
“Early detection is obviously the best way to go, and so regular checkups are a blessing,” Leo said, attributing his recovery to “trusting God, good doctors, good surgeons, and overall I think a healthy lifestyle.”
