Pope Leo Casts First-Ever Papal Vote in US Election

Pope Leo has become the first pope to vote in a US election. The Vatican confirmed on Friday that the Chicago-born pontiff submitted a mail-in ballot in Chicago ahead of November's midterm elections. 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 Vatican cited his long-standing belief in civic participation. The statement added that he had also voted while living in the US before becoming pope.