VATICAN CITY — Leo XIV has become the first pope to vote in a U.S. general election, casting a mail-in ballot in a contest that will decide America's future as the Trump era slowly comes to an end. The Vatican confirmed Friday that the Chicago-born pontiff had submitted a mail-in ballot in Chicago ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections, citing his long-standing belief in civic participation. Leo, formerly Robert Prevost, “has exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen” and has done so “whenever he was eligible to do so,” the Holy See press office said. The statement said he had also voted while living in Peru whenever he was eligible. Leo lived in Peru as a missionary priest and bishop for over 20 years. “The Holy Father expresses his belief in the right and the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes,” it added. Leo holds U.S. and Peruvian citizenship, and is also the head of state of a foreign country, the Holy See. The city-state is an absolute monarchy with no political elections. U.S. federal law allows citizens living abroad, even those workin