New Pope Leo Confirms Mail-In Vote in U.S. Election
The 71-year-old pontiff, recovering from lung cancer surgery, stated he is proud to exercise his American citizenship while traveling to Latin America.
By Samantha Reed ·
Pope Leo cast a ballot in the recent U.S. presidential election, becoming the first sitting pope to vote in an American contest. He mailed the ballot from Chicago, his birthplace, and said Friday that he is proud to be an American and to use his right to vote. The Vatican confirmed the action in a statement released on Oct. 30, noting that the Holy Father believes in the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes.
Leo, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, has a history of voting in U.S. elections. According to the Associated Press, he voted in five primary elections between 2000 and 2019. He selected Democratic ballots in 2008 and 2019 and Republican ballots in 2012, 2014, and 2016. He holds dual citizenship in the United States and Peru. The Vatican noted that he voted whenever eligible during his nearly two decades as a missionary and bishop in Peru.
The pope is currently on a 12-day tour of three Latin American nations. This trip occurs just three weeks after he underwent surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. Doctors identified the malignant tumor, a lung adenocarcinoma, during a routine abdominal exam on Oct. 13. He was cleared to travel on Oct. 26, two weeks after the operation. He was discharged from the hospital on Oct. 17.
Leo addressed reporters while boarding a plane for the trip. He said he had no doubt the trip would go forward from the first day. He credited his recovery to trusting God, good doctors, and a healthy lifestyle. He acknowledged that he has not yet played tennis since the surgery but said he would do so soon.
The pope did not comment on the election results, which gave Democrats control of Congress. He pointed to the Vatican's previous statement regarding civic participation. He noted that he could not vote in Peru's recent election because absentee ballots were not possible. He said, "But I would have done it. It's a good thing," according to the Associated Press. Federal law allows American citizens working for foreign governments to keep their citizenship.
The tour includes stops in multiple countries over the next week. Leo is 71 years old. He has been leading the Catholic Church since his election. The Vatican press office stated that he has exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen whenever eligible. He expressed happiness to be traveling in person after the medical procedure.
