World News

Pope Leo XIV says he voted by mail in U.S. midterm election

The Vatican confirmed the mail-in ballot in Chicago as the pope began a 12-day Latin America trip.

Published Nov 7, 2026 · 16:11 UTC3 reports

The short version

Pope Leo XIV said he cast a mail-in ballot in Chicago in the U.S. midterms, citing civic participation as an American citizen.[ABC News · CBS News]
The Vatican confirmed the vote in an October 30 statement and said the pope has voted whenever he was eligible.[ABC News · CBS News]
He departed on a 12-day, three-nation Latin America trip three weeks after surgery removed a malignant lung tumor.[ABC News · CBS News]

Pope Leo XIV said he voted by mail-in ballot in the U.S. midterm elections.[ABC News · CBS News]
The Vatican confirmed in an October 30 statement that the pope voted by mail-in ballot in Chicago, his hometown.[ABC News · CBS News]
The Holy See said the pope has voted whenever he was eligible and believes citizens have a right and duty to take part in democratic processes.[ABC News · CBS News]
The Associated Press reported that the pope voted in five primary elections since 2000.[CBS News]
The pope said he could not vote in Peru's recent election because absentee ballots are not possible there.[ABC News · CBS News]
Doctors removed the lower lobe of the pope's right lung on October 13 after finding adenocarcinoma, a form of lung cancer.[ABC News · CBS News]
The pope was discharged from the hospital on October 17 after surgery without complications.[CBS News]
The pope departed on a 12-day, three-nation Latin America tour three weeks after the surgery.[ABC News · CBS News]

The pope declined to comment on the outcome of the vote when speaking to reporters.[ABC News]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.