Pope Léon XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, has requested an absentee ballot to participate in the US midterm elections. As a US citizen, he is entitled to vote in the elections. Despite being the head of the Catholic Church, Léon XIV has not forgotten his American roots. He has been registered to vote in the state of Illinois since his accession to the papacy.
According to Kim Feldhammer, chief of staff to the Will County clerk, Léon XIV remains registered to vote in Illinois. This information was confirmed after a report by the Chicago Sun-Times. As the first American pope in history, Léon XIV may become the first pope to participate in a US election during his papacy. His participation in the midterm elections has garnered significant attention.
The midterm elections are scheduled to take place on November 3. Léon XIV's request for an absentee ballot has not yet been fulfilled, with the ballot yet to be sent from the US to the Vatican. The pope's participation in the elections is seen as a significant event, particularly given his strained relationship with US President Donald Trump.
Léon XIV and Trump have engaged in a public spat, with the president criticizing the pope's stance on various issues. In April, Trump described Léon XIV as "weak" on crime and criticized his foreign policy. The pope had previously expressed concerns about Trump's administration, describing war as "absurd and inhumane violence." These comments sparked a heated exchange between the two.
President Trump's approval ratings are at an all-time low, with his popularity plummeting ahead of the midterm elections. According to recent polls, Trump's ratings are comparable to those of President Harry Truman in 1946, when Truman's party suffered significant losses in the midterm elections. The low ratings may impact the outcome of the elections.
Meanwhile, two US senators, Jeffrey A. Merkley and Marsha Blackburn, have urged the National Basketball Association (NBA) to end its partnership with the Rwandan government. The senators cited Rwanda's alleged involvement in destabilizing the Democratic Republic of Congo as the reason for their request. The NBA's partnership with Rwanda has been a subject of controversy.
In other news, the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) has taken steps towards modernization and self-financing. The organization aims to improve its financial management and become more autonomous. Additionally, the Palestinian president has expressed hopes for renewed negotiations with the Israeli government.
Key points
- Pope Léon XIV requests absentee voting in US midterm elections
- Léon XIV and Trump engage in public spat over policy issues
- President Trump's approval ratings hit all-time low ahead of midterm elections
