How can Pope Leo vote in U.S. elections while serving as the sovereign of Vatican City? | Explained

Pope Leo XIV waves as he arrives for an audience with delegations from Villanova University on October 31, 2026 | Photo Credit: AFP The story so far: The U.S. midterm elections are just days away, and the results could prove to be a defining moment for the Trump administration and the Republican Party. The elections represent the first major electoral test for Donald Trump since his return to the Oval Office for a second term. The run-up to the polls has been marked by a series of high-stakes developments, including renewed scrutiny of Mr. Trump’s name appearing in the Epstein files, the U.S. military operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January, the controversy surrounding the Nobel Peace Prize, and the escalating conflict in West Asia following the launch of U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran — Operation Epic Fury and Operation Roaring Lion, respectively.Against this backdrop, the Vatican has confirmed that Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV, formerly known as Robert Francis Prevost, has cast his vote in the U.S. midterm elections. “Pope Leo XIV has exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen whenever he was eligible to do so,” the Holy See Press Office said in a statement. It further confirmed that, “in keeping with this long-standing practice of civic participation, he has submitted his mail-in ballot in Chicago.” Published - October 31, 2026 06:32 pm IST