Nicolai Haugsted
Pope Leo explains why becoming the leader of 1.4 billion Catholics hasn’t stopped him from voting.
Political participation is hardly unusual in the United States, where millions of Americans head to the polls to have their say on the country’s future.
But the latest election has produced a particularly unusual voter, one whose day job involves leading more than a billion Catholics around the world. And despite holding one of the most influential religious positions on the planet, he apparently has no intention of abandoning his American roots.
Pope Leo has confirmed to several media, including Reuters, that he voted in the US midterm elections, making what is believed to be the first such move by a sitting pontiff in the history of the Catholic Church.
His explanation was refreshingly straightforward.
The pope still considers himself a proud American
Speaking to a journalist aboard a flight from Rome to Uruguay on Friday, Leo explained why he decided to participate in the American democratic process.
“I’m proud to be an American and to exercise the right,” he said.
The pope, who was born Robert Prevost in Chicago, cast his ballot by mail rather than making a rather inconvenient trip back to Illinois.
Local election officials in Will County, south of Chicago, confirmed last week that he had requested a mail-in ballot.
The Vatican had already addressed the unusual decision on October 30, explaining that Leo believed “in the right and the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes.”
His decision is particularly significant because previous popes have generally avoided participating in national elections while serving as head of the Catholic Church.
Pope Francis, Leo’s Argentine-born predecessor, was among those who refrained from voting.
Leo, however, appears to believe that becoming pope does not necessarily mean surrendering the responsibilities that come with American citizenship.
A historic vote during a dramatic election
The timing makes his participation especially noteworthy.
The 2026 midterm elections delivered major victories for Democrats, who made significant gains across the United States.
Texas provided one of the most remarkable results, with Democrats winning both the governorship and a US Senate seat.
During his flight, Leo was asked what he thought about the election results in the traditionally Republican state.
Unlike his willingness to discuss his own voting habits, the pontiff declined to offer an opinion.
His silence was consistent with the Vatican’s longstanding reluctance to become directly involved in partisan political disputes.
Although Leo confirmed that he voted, he did not reveal which candidates received his support.
His relationship with Trump has not always been smooth
The pope’s participation also comes against the backdrop of previous tensions with President Donald Trump.
Leo has drawn criticism from Trump after speaking out strongly against the war in Iran.
His remarks demonstrated that the pontiff is willing to address major international controversies, even when doing so puts him at odds with the American president.
However, criticizing government policies and openly supporting political candidates are two very different matters for the leader of the Catholic Church.
Leo has so far maintained that distinction, keeping his electoral preferences private while defending his right to participate.
From the Vatican to the ballot box
The historic revelation came as Leo began an ambitious 12-day journey through South America, including visits to Uruguay, Peru and Argentina.
As leader of a Catholic Church with approximately 1.4 billion members worldwide, his schedule is considerably more demanding than that of the average Illinois voter.
Yet his decision suggests that even the responsibilities of the papacy have not entirely displaced his connection to the country where he was born.
For American Catholics, the image of a sitting pope participating in a US election is an extraordinary departure from tradition.
For Leo himself, the reasoning appears much simpler.
He remains an American citizen, believes voting is a civic responsibility, and has now exercised that right from thousands of miles away.
Who received his vote, however, remains a secret between the pope and the ballot box.
