US election centres on two historic firsts in America’s midterm contests: Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV casting a ballot by mail, and the election of a Muslim senator for the first time.
The Vatican confirmed on Friday that Pope Leo XIV—born Robert Prevost in Chicago—used a mail ballot in Chicago ahead of the midterms. As an American citizen, he became the first pope to vote in a US general election. The Vatican press office said he exercised his right to vote as a US citizen and has taken part whenever he has been eligible.
Pope Leo XIV’s vote and dual citizenship
Pope Leo XIV holds citizenship of both the United States and Peru and is also head of state of Vatican City. The Vatican operates as a monarchy and does not hold political elections. During more than two decades in Peru as a missionary priest and bishop, he also voted there when eligible, according to the Vatican.
A Vatican statement said he believes citizens have not only a right but a duty to take part in the democratic process. Under US federal law, Americans living abroad may vote by mail or absentee ballot even if they work for a foreign government. The US State Department has said that an American who serves as head of a foreign state may have citizenship reviewed, but that holding such an office does not automatically end US citizenship.
First Muslim American senator
Alongside the papal ballot, US election news today also marked another milestone: for the first time, a Muslim senator was elected. Public details circulating with that result name the milestone itself rather than fuller personal biography in the material available here.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- Friday: The Vatican confirmed that American-born Pope Leo XIV had cast a mail ballot in Chicago before the midterms.
- Before the midterms: The pope voted by post as a US citizen, making him the first pope to vote in a US general election.
- Midterm results: A Muslim candidate won a US Senate seat for the first time.
- Earlier years in Peru: While serving there for more than two decades, he voted when eligible as a dual US–Peruvian citizen.
What officials have emphasised
Officials around the papal vote have stressed citizenship and civic duty rather than which candidates he backed. The Vatican framed the ballot as ordinary participation by an eligible American abroad. Separately, the Senate milestone adds a new chapter to Muslim American representation in federal office, even as fuller biographical detail is still thin in early reports.
Readers following US election news today should treat both stories as confirmed in outline—the papal mail vote via the Vatican, and the first Muslim Senate win—while further names, states and margins may still emerge as results are certified.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Pehli dafa kisi Pope ne America ke election mein vote daal diya hai. Pope Leo XIV Chicago mein paida hue the aur unhon ne mail se vote bheja. Is dafa pehli martaba ek Muslim senator bhi jeetay hain. Yeh dono baatein US midterms ki bari khabrein hain.
