ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (AP) – Pope Leo XIV expressed his pride in being an American and exercising his right to vote in the recent U.S. midterm elections. These elections resulted in a shift of congressional control to the Democrats, signaling a repudiation of former U.S. President Donald Trump's policies.
While en route to Latin America, Leo declined to comment on the election results but referenced a recent Vatican statement confirming that he had cast a mail-in ballot from his hometown of Chicago. The Vatican emphasized Leo's commitment to civic engagement, stating that he has voted whenever eligible and believes in the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes.
The Vatican's statement highlighted that Leo, who also holds Peruvian citizenship, had voted in Peru during his residency. However, he mentioned that he could not vote in the recent Peruvian elections due to the unavailability of absentee ballots, adding, "But I would have done it. It’s a good thing." When questioned about the importance of his Chicago absentee ballot, Leo reiterated his pride in being an American and exercising his right to vote.
The pope's participation in the election has sparked debate, particularly since he heads the Holy See, a foreign state, and adopted the persona of Pope Leo XIV as the 266th successor to St. Peter after his election on May 8, 2025. U.S. federal law permits American citizens, including those working for foreign governments, to retain their citizenship. However, within the Catholic Church, he is known simply as Leo, not Robert Prevost—the name on his voter registration.
In a lighter moment, Leo acknowledged his ability to "shape-shift" for delicate issues, joking about his favoritism in basketball during a recent visit from players of Villanova University and Notre Dame, noting that while "the pope" remains neutral, "Prevost" is a Villanovan.
Leo's current trip marks his first international travel following surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his right lung. The pope, 71, announced his diagnosis after surgery on October 13 and expressed his happiness to be on the trip. He greeted reporters aboard the plane heading to Montevideo, Uruguay, the first stop of a three-nation tour that will also take him to Argentina and Peru.
He remarked, "I’m very happy to be here myself," and, when asked about his health, joked, "Maybe better." Several people had expressed doubts regarding his ability to travel after his recent health issues, yet Leo remained confident, stating, "From the first day, I had no doubt and was convinced that this trip had to go forward."
Doctors had confirmed that Leo was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer, and successfully removed the lower lobe of his right lung. Further tests indicated that no additional treatment was necessary, allowing him to proceed with the trip. The nodule was discovered during a routine medical check between his late September trip to France and his announcement in early October.
Leo emphasized the importance of early detection and regular health checkups, stating, "Early detection is obviously the best way to go, and so regular checkups are a blessing." He credited his recovery to "Trusting God, good doctors, good surgeons, and overall I think a healthy lifestyle."
Reflecting on his diagnosis, Leo expressed a heightened commitment to supporting those who are ill and advocates for healthcare as a fundamental right for all individuals, a message he is expected to reinforce throughout his journey.
