Pope Leo votes in US midterm elections, 1st pope to do so

Pope Leo XIV, an American citizen, has cast his vote in the United States midterm elections.

This marks the first known time that a pope has voted in a political election.

According to Vatican News, citing a statement from the Holy See Press Office on Oct. 30, the head of the Catholic Church submitted his mail-in ballot in Chicago, U.S.

“Pope Leo XIV has exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen, whenever he was eligible to do so,” the statement read.

The Chicago-born pontiff also reportedly confirmed that he had voted in previous elections and “exercised his right to vote whenever he was eligible to do so” when he was a missionary in Peru.

The Pope also holds Peruvian citizenship.

“The Holy Father expresses his belief in the right and the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes,” the statement read.

A rift earlier this year between U.S. president Donald Trump and the pope was reported internationally.

Leo and Trump repeatedly clashed over papal criticism of the harsh crackdown on immigration in the U.S. and of the war on Iran.

Trump called the pontiff "weak" on crime and "terrible" on foreign policy.

The pope said he was "not afraid" of Trump.

Leo called on everyone to do their part for peace in April after Trump threatened to destroy Iran.

The head of the Catholic Church urge people to "contact the authorities - political leaders, congressmen - to ask them, to tell them, to work for peace and to reject war and violence".

The U.S. midterm elections are scheduled for Nov. 3.