The Pope surprises and wins
The Pope breaks papal tradition by voting by mail and begins an eleven-day tour of Uruguay, Argentina and Peru
Quick Look
- The Vatican announced that Pope Leo XIV voted by mail in the US midterm elections, breaking the tradition of papal impartiality.
- After criticizing Donald Trump, the Pontiff began an eleven-day trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, where he will meet with Trumpist leaders such as Javier Milei and Keiko Fujimori.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Vatican announced Oct. 30 that Robert Francis Prevost cast his vote by mail in the U.S. midterm legislative elections. It is the first time a pontiff has voted, although canon law does not expressly prohibit it. Leo XIV has made statements critical of Donald Trump, including saying “I'm not afraid” in April.
Leo XIV continues to be a Pope who breaks molds.
The Vatican announced on October 30 that Robert Francis Prevost had cast his vote by mail in the US midterm legislative elections. Never had a pontiff exercised his right to vote, although canon law does not expressly prohibit it.
The tradition is that the popes did not interfere in the political affairs of their countries of origin and that their figure was considered so impartial and elevated that he could not fall into matters as mundane or earthly as voting for one candidate or another. Leo XIV has broken customs and, furthermore, he has done so after making several statements where he has stopped Donald Trump. Nobody knows what the Pope voted for, but his theoretical body is at the antipodes of Trumpism and one can remember the lapidary phrase he dedicated to the Republican leader in April: “I'm not afraid.”
It is not an exaggeration to write, therefore, that Trump's defeat is another triumph for the Pope, who continues to gain influence and not only among the Catholic community. Perhaps it was chance, but the reception that the Pope gave to singer Bob Dylan, the day after Trump's defeat, is also significant. The photograph is iconic, although Dylan is certainly not known to criticize the Republican president, except for a hoax that spread through the networks.
In this context, León XIV yesterday began an eleven-day trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, where he will meet with Trumpist leaders such as Javier Milei or Keiko Fujimori. In all the trips made to date, the Pontiff has made speeches with a strong social impact in favor of the most disadvantaged and in a diametrically different line from that of these South American leaders. This visit will not be an exception, but it will not have any replica. Milei, who is so aggressive towards progressive leaders of the world, has never criticized the current Pontiff. He did seriously insult his predecessor, Francisco, although he later rectified and asked for forgiveness. We will have to pay attention to the speeches of Leo XIV in this South American journey, at a time of great changes in world geopolitics.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Leo XIV will give speeches with a social impact in favor of the most disadvantaged during his tour of South America
Very likely · Within days
Javier Milei will not criticize the current Pontiff during the visit
Likely · Within days
Open Questions
- For which candidate did the Pope vote?
- What speeches will Leo XIV give in Uruguay, Argentina and Peru?
- How will Javier Milei and Keiko Fujimori react to the Pope's speeches?
