Pope Leo XIV made history by becoming the first sitting pontiff to cast a vote in a U.S. election. Speaking to the press during his journey to Latin America, the pope expressed his pride in exercising his right to vote, stating, “I am proud to be an American and to exercise my right.”

Details of the Voting

Confirmed by the Vatican, the U.S.-born pope participated in the recent midterm elections by mailing a ballot from his home city of Chicago. While he refrained from commenting on the election results, which saw the Democratic Party gain control of Congress, he reiterated his commitment to civic engagement as an essential duty of citizenship.

Civic Engagement and Voting History

Leo XIV, formerly known as Cardinal Robert Prevost, is noted for his long-standing involvement in civic activities. Throughout his nearly two decades serving as a missionary and later as a bishop in Peru, he consistently voted whenever eligible. The Vatican clarified that he holds citizenship in both the United States and Peru, reinforcing his belief in the importance of participating in democratic processes.

• Voted in five U.S. primary elections since 2000.
• Participated in Democratic primaries in 2008 and 2019.
• Voted in Republican primaries in 2012, 2014, and 2016.

Current Trip and Health Update

As of November 6, 2026, the Pope is undertaking a 12-day apostolic journey across Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru, just weeks after undergoing surgery for a lung tumor. Despite recent health challenges, he expressed happiness about proceeding with his planned trip and acknowledged his recovery to good medical care and divine belief.

Reflecting on his recent surgery, which involved removing the lower lobe of his right lung due to a malignant tumor, he emphasized the importance of regular checkups for early detection of health issues.

Future Plans

Pope Leo XIV conveyed enthusiasm about being active during his travels, jokingly mentioning he had not yet had the chance to play tennis since his operation but expressed determination to do so soon.