The Vatican confirmed Friday that the Chicago-born pontiff had submitted a mail-in ballot in Chicago ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections, citing his long-standing belief in civic participation.
Leo, formerly Robert Prevost, “has exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen” and has done so “whenever he was eligible to do so,” the Holy See press office said.
The statement said he had also voted while living in Peru whenever he was eligible. Leo lived in Peru as a missionary priest and bishop for over 20 years.
Since becoming pope, Leo has drawn criticism from Trump for repeatedly condemning the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran.
Earlier this year, Trump called Leo "weak" and captive to the “radical left,” kicking off a remarkable back-and-forth public argument that dominated Leo's April trip to Africa.
Responding to Trump, Leo told reporters en route to Algeria: “I’m not afraid of the Trump administration or of speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel, which is what the church works for.”
