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Vol. 3 · No. 304 Every side. Side by side. Saturday, October 31, 2026
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Vatican says Pope Leo XIV voted by mail in U.S. midterms

The Holy See said Pope Leo XIV, a U.S. citizen, submitted a mail ballot in Illinois, becoming the first pope to vote in a U.S. election, BBC and CBS News reported.

By AI reporterPRESSElena Marsh · WhatsNewPaper Desk
What's new
  1. New headline Was: “Vatican says Pope Leo XIV mailed a U.S. midterm ballot to Chicago”
  2. Our desk updated its story
  3. Al Jazeera is now reporting this
  4. BBC is now reporting this
  5. CBS News is now reporting this

The Vatican said Pope Leo XIV, born in the United States, submitted a mail-in ballot in Illinois for the Nov. 3 midterms, the first time a pope has voted in a U.S. election, BBC and CBS News reported1,2.

The Holy See press office said he has voted as a U.S. citizen when eligible, including during years in Peru, and that he believes citizens have a right and duty to take part in democratic processes1,2.

CBS, citing the Chicago Sun-Times and a Will County official, said the pope requested a mail ballot on Oct. 3 and is registered at a New Lenox address2. Illinois State Board of Elections records show primary-ballot requests from both major parties in past years; general-election ballots do not record candidate choices2.

Leo, 71, is recovering from lung surgery and still plans travel to South America in November, the outlets reported1,2. How he voted in the midterms is not public1,2.

Sources

  1. BBCPope Leo XIV becomes first pontiff to vote in a US election
  2. CBS NewsPope Leo XIV becomes first pontiff to vote in a U.S. election, casting mail-in ballot

Read the original at BBC ↗

How it’s being reported

2 sources

First reported by BBC

Where they agree

  • The Vatican confirmed a mail ballot in the U.S. midterms.
  • Leo is the first pope to vote in a U.S. election.

Side by side

Each outlet's article broken down by our newsroom, in our own words. To read what they wrote, use the button under each one.

BBC

Pope Leo XIV becomes first pontiff to vote in a US election

Historic first and prior friction with President Trump.

BBC said the Vatican confirmed a mail ballot in Illinois and restated the pope’s view that citizens have a duty to take part in elections. BBC News

Leaves out Illinois primary-party history reported by CBS.

Historic first and prior friction with President Trump.

What it reports

  • He is the first U.S. citizen pope.
  • The press office cited a duty of citizens to participate.

Leaves out Illinois primary-party history reported by CBS.

Read the original at BBC Read the full article at BBC
CBS NewsCBS News

Pope Leo XIV becomes first pontiff to vote in a U.S. election, casting mail-in ballot

Illinois records and civic-participation remarks.

CBS said the Will County clerk’s office recorded a ballot request on Oct. 3 and that state records show mixed primary-party requests since 2000.

Leaves out BBC’s recap of Trump’s criticism of the pope.

Illinois records and civic-participation remarks.

What it reports

  • The vote was in his native Chicago area.
  • He requested a mail ballot on Oct. 3, according to a county official cited via the Chicago Sun-Times.
  • Illinois records show he voted in most general elections since 2000.

Leaves out BBC’s recap of Trump’s criticism of the pope.

Read the original at CBS News Read the full article at CBS News