The Holy See Press Office said Friday that Leo had submitted a mail ballot for the U.S. midterms.
Leo cast the ballot as a U.S. citizen, the office said, and also holds Peruvian citizenship. He was born in Chicago. The office said he continued voting when eligible while serving in Peru, where he spent close to 20 years as a missionary and later as a bishop. It linked his participation to his belief that citizens should take part in democratic life.
CBS News characterized the vote as the first time a pontiff has voted in a U.S. election. The Associated Press reported that Prevost voted in five primary elections since 2000 and in general elections except in 2020 and 2022.
The Chicago Sun-Times previously reported that Leo sought a mail ballot; EconoTimes covered the request in an earlier story. The Sun-Times reported that the U.S. midterms are scheduled for Nov. 3.
