Pope Leo XIV said he had voted by mail in the U.S. midterms and tied the choice to civic duty, a move Reuters said may be unprecedented for a sitting pope.
Speaking to a journalist aboard a flight to Uruguay on Nov. 6, Leo said, “I’m proud to be an American,” adding that he was exercising his right as an American, Reuters reported.
Reuters described Leo as likely the first pope to vote in a secular election while serving as pontiff. It said earlier Catholic leaders, including Pope Francis, had refrained from voting.
The Holy See Press Office said Leo had submitted a mail ballot; its announcement was the subject of an earlier EconoTimes story. The Vatican said Oct. 30 that citizens have a right and a duty to participate in democratic processes.
When asked about election results in Texas, Leo declined to comment, Reuters reported. His 12-day South American trip began in Uruguay.
