Pope Leo first pontiff to cast US ballot

WASHINGTON:

Oct 30 (Reuters) - Pope Leo XIV cast a ballot by mail in the US midterm elections, the Vatican press office said on Friday, a historic first for the American-born pontiff.

"In keeping with this long-standing practice of civic participation, he has submitted his mail-in ballot in Chicago," the Vatican said. "The Holy Father expresses his belief in the right and the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes."

The Vatican did not say which candidates Leo had voted for.

Leo, 71, was born in Chicago and is the first American-born pope. The pope voted by mail under his birth name, Robert Francis Prevost, according to the Will County Clerk's website.

President Donald Trump's sagging popularity is hurting his fellow Republicans' chances of holding onto their majorities in both chambers of Congress in the November 3 election, with the public unhappy about the high cost of living and the Iran war.

Trump repeatedly criticized Leo early in the new pope's tenure, calling him "weak" and "terrible" on crime.