“Proud to be an American.” What did the Pope of the Vatican tell Ofoq News about his vote in the congressional elections?

Pope Leo Speaking on board the papal plane heading to South America, the Pope - who is the first Pope of the Catholic Church to be born in the United States - answered a question from the Ofoq News Network about the significance of his participation in voting. It is likely that the Pope’s decision to cast his vote by mail represents the first time that a Pope has participated in secular democratic elections. The Pope said: “I am proud to be an American, and to exercise the right to vote.”

The Pope did not express any reaction to the election results while he was on the plane, saying only “no comment” when asked about the results in Texas, which witnessed the victory of Democratic Senator James Tallarico in a state that is traditionally a stronghold of the Republican Party. The Pope made these statements while addressing journalists accompanying him on the trip from Rome to Montevideo, on Friday, where he made sure to greet them personally.

On October 30, the Vatican confirmed that Pope Leo participated in the midterm elections, noting that he was always keen to vote whenever he had the opportunity. The Pope also referred to that statement during his speech on the plane. Records show that before being elected pope, Leo - who bears the name Robert Prevost since his baptism - had previously participated in both the Republican and Democratic primaries in Illinois, and also voted in the 2024 elections.

Although it is not known to whom the Pope gave his vote, the Pope - who was born in Chicago - had previously publicly expressed disagreement with the administration of US President Donald Trump on issues such as the war in Iran and the immigration file. The Pope is currently making his most important foreign visit since assuming office, just over 3 weeks after undergoing surgery to treat lung cancer.

Despite the busy schedule of the visit, the Pope assured reporters that he was always confident of completing this trip, praising his medical team, which he described as “wonderful.” The Pope's tour - which lasts 12 days and includes Uruguay, Argentina and Peru - is characterized by high intensity. During which he will cover a distance of 19,000 miles, deliver 36 speeches, and participate in about 50 events.

The Pope will visit the city of Cusco, which is located at an altitude of more than 11,000 feet above sea level, where the percentage of oxygen in each breath decreases by about 35%. The Pope told reporters: “I know that some people doubted the completion of this journey, but I admit that I did not doubt for a moment from the first day. I was certain that this journey must go ahead.”

He added that he is in “fairly good condition,” noting in his conversation with another journalist that he relies on “trust in God, competent doctors, and a healthy lifestyle.” According to the Vatican, doctors confirmed that the Pope's cancer was discovered at an early stage during routine examinations, and that the surgery succeeded in removing the tumor, which means that he does not need any additional treatment.

In his conversation with a journalist from the New York Times, the Pope expressed his desire to emphasize - after his experience in the hospital - that “health care should be a right for all human beings,” adding that he feels “close to the sick.” He also stressed the necessity of providing health care to all, in a speech he delivered after his arrival in Montevideo. He said: “I recently experienced first-hand the limitations imposed by the disease, and received care for which I am very grateful.

This experience makes me think about the many men and women who lack the means to obtain an early diagnosis or receive the treatments they need.” For his part, the Pope - who is keen to stay active and enjoys playing sports - stated that he plans to return to playing tennis.

He also sent a message through a journalist at the Catholic Our Sunday Visitor Foundation, in which he reassured those suffering from cancer that there is no need to be afraid, stressing that “early detection is undoubtedly the best option,” and that “regular examinations are a great blessing.” Speaking to a group of journalists, the Pope indicated that the bulk of his trip will be in Peru, the country where he served as a missionary and bishop for about two decades, expressing his great happiness to “return there.”

The Pope also made some jokes on board the papal plane; A Reuters journalist, referring to his recent encounter with Bob Dylan, asked him if he could arrange a concert by Bruce Springsteen for Vatican-accredited journalists. “There are matters that are beyond my powers,” the Pope joked. Speaking from Montevideo, the Pope also touched on the topic of artificial intelligence and concerns about job losses. He cited the words of former Pope John Paul II, saying: “We must remember that work exists for Man, not man for work.”

The Pope added: “This principle remains absolutely relevant in light of the rapid changes in technology and artificial intelligence. The development of these technologies is supposed to enhance human capabilities, facilitate tasks, and create new horizons, while ensuring that the worker does not become merely an indispensable cog in the production process.”