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Pope Leo will vote from the Vatican, by mail, in Illinois' midterm election
(chicago.suntimes.com)
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this post was submitted on 30 Oct 2026
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politics
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Foreign heads of states should not be allowed to vote.
Why not? If they are citiziens they have the same rights as everyone else.
They have a glaring conflict of interests, because their primary duty is to the states they head, not to the United States.
Wouldn't that be true for many people who vote, and that's why voting is done en masse, to track the interests of the whole populace? Many people have 'duties' to things which are not their country, would you also say that someone who is dedicated to their job shouldn't vote because their 'primary duty' is not to the United States, but to a corporation?
It's not like he's in a position of power in the political system, it's just one vote.
He is Monarch and absolute sovereign of Vatican city, that places him in the political spectrum.
As pope he is head of the Catholic Church, that gives him incredible reach and influence over Catholics around the world.
Can you imagine if it got out who he voted for?
It wouldn’t be much different from any other celebrity declaring who they’re going to vote for.
Different social classes, within the same country, have different interests. That is where the root of much conflict lies.
So... how is that different from any other pope endorsing a candidate?
Which other Pope has endorsed a US candidate? I things they tried to stay out of that part (but are fine weighing in on bigger ideas like nuclear war and abortion)
I mean..they basically endorse Republicans every chance they get.
Like you say, they weigh in on abortion. They say abortion is murder, Democrats support abortion, therefore Democrats are evil satanists baby killers.
I remember the "Vote for life" bumper stickers
Yeah how dare the Pope checks notes have opinions on matters of morality.
Get back with me when they deal with the sex offenders in their ranks.
Literally what the hell does that have to do with what I just said?
You brought up morality, I pointed out their lax idea of morality.
They have no problem keeping their mouths shut when it suits them.
But it doesn't suit them to keep their mouths shut about abortion. Presumably the Pope believes his own religion, so it's literally his job to talk about this stuff. My God why does Lemmy keep making me defend the Pope I don't even like the guy.
Literally no one is making you defend him.
You are choosing to defend him and then blaming other people for it. Please, just be honest with yourself.
I'm not even sure what you are even defending him from.
I'm not saying he shouldn't vote, I'm not saying he shouldn't express his opinions.
I'm responding to the other person who claimed the Pope never endorses anyone. Cause that is bullshit. I gave an example of when that was false and you came crashing in cause you got angry.
The Pope having opinions is completely different from actively endorsing politicians. Otherwise talking about, I dunno, feeding the hungry would be an endorsement for communist parties everywhere.
The law is not the only means of protecting life, but it plays a key and often decisive role in affecting both human behavior and thinking. Those called to civil leadership, as Pope John Paul II reminds us, "have a duty to make courageous choices in support of life, especially through legislative measures." This is a responsibility that cannot be put aside, "especially when he or she has a legislative or decision-making mandate, which calls that person to answer to God, to his or her own conscience and to the whole of society for choices which may be contrary to the common good." The Gospel of Life, no. 90
https://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/quotes-issues-human-life-justice-and-peace
Sounds like he's endorsing the "pro life" candidate to me...
I mean, none to my knowledge; the point is that even if they did none of these people would be making such a fuss about it.
Most people aren't the head of a foreign country.
So the fuck what? It’s one damn vote out of millions. Let’s have a little perspective here, eh?
And if your argument is going to be that they can influence others to vote like them, well, I present to you (gestures all around) all religions and political parties!
No it's literally just that foreign heads of state, regardless of citizenship status. I would also go so far as to say foreign heads of state should not be able to hold dual citizenship, but that's more of a problem for members of that state, not the state they're also a citizen of.
You still haven’t explained why being a foreign head of state is any different than having a job in the US. Your point was their devotion, but so what?
Is your concern that their vote reflects their political beliefs? That’s silly, don’t you think? Of course it reflects their political beliefs.
Is your concern that their political beliefs may reasonably be aligned with the destruction of the US? That’s a bit far fetched, don’t you think?
But regardless, he’s an American. If he wants to destroy the state, shouldn’t he be free to vote that way?
Or, are you concerned that, by acting as head of state, his actions would arguable be that of the state he represents? Meaning… it’s not Leo XIV voting, it’s the Pope?
You don’t make that same conclusion when the president votes, do you?
Should Trump not be allowed to vote because he’s the head of MAGA? Surely MAGA is worse than Pope, right?
I’m really struggling to find the coherency in your perspective. Can you help me out?
The state has a duty to its people, not vice versa.
Literally 1 person....
Actually yeah, this raises a good question. I’m gonna go look stuff up instead of jumping to answers though.
At least for now, Illinois has no problem with him voting, so I’m gonna find out why.
From what I understand, a pope does not have to renounce their citizenship, though some choose to.
Furthermore, the US Department of State can review American citizens acting as heads of state for other nations, and may revoke voting rights. The Department of State has decided not to, not whatever reason.
Thus, Pope Leo can vote.
Imo it has nothing to do with head of state, no one living abroad permanently should vote in their home country. I get the reason, they're citizens and one of the fundamental right that comes with that is the right to vote, but it makes no sense. People should vote where they live and where their vote directly affects their them.
They're still obligated to pay US taxes if they're US citizens. Other countries with different tax policies I can perhaps get behind that somewhat, though.
It's not only taxes.
My kid is trans, our home country's trans acceptance policies and free speech policies impact our passport renewal process.
I live in another country, my home country's foreign policy decisions directly impact my ability to live and work in my residence country and impacts how and which countries I can travel through.
Decisions made in my home country can impact my life on the other side of the world, education, free speech, and anti corruption policies indirectly impact me by influencing voting behaviour in my home country.
It also impacts stuff like willingness to return in issues like this as well. If I feel the country is too unsafe to stay in I'd hate to not be able to vote to change it back
If the US didn't make me pay taxes from abroad every year then I'd be fine not voting.
No taxation without representation