Editorial

Like Pope Leo, we must always take part in our democratic process

As The Criterion went to press on Nov. 3, the polls were still open on Election Day across central and southern Indiana.

And in some races, as in years past, we believe there’s a good chance the wait for final results could take a while. Don’t be surprised if there are ballot-tabulation issues, races too close to call or challenges to results. It has become the norm in nearly every election cycle to have post-voting issues that need to be resolved. Lawsuits may be filed, and the courts may need to intervene.

Whether you were focusing on local, statewide or national offices (or on all results), on a race where an incumbent was battling a challenger or candidates were filling a vacant seat, we expect there were surprises across the spectrum.

It is, we believe, one of the unique things about our political process, where lesser-known candidates spending less money can surprise the electorate by running a simple campaign that truly speaks to voters and their important issues and pushes the candidate across the finish line to victory. It is rare, but it speaks to how, at times, some people are eager to move on from big-money candidates pushing their policies and unrealistic rhetoric on constituents.

One thing we expect is that most voters will be relieved that there are no longer non-stop election advertisements on TV, radio and the internet. Many election flyers arrived in mailboxes, too. And let’s not forget how our phones were bombarded with texts from candidates seeking our votes—and our money.

Attack ads get worse each election cycle, and it is embarrassing at times to hear how some justify them. There was a time when decorum meant civility and appropriate standards of behavior in politics, but those days are long gone. And that is a shame.

Regardless of the frustration many of us feel in the weeks leading up to any election, it is our civic duty to vote. Hopefully, most of us did just that on Nov. 3 or before in early voting.

Media outlets shared that Pope Leo XIV, a Chicago native, submitted a mail-in ballot for this year’s election. The pope—who remains a U.S. citizen, as well as a citizen of Peru—is the first pontiff to vote in a U.S. election.

In a statement published on Oct. 30, the Vatican press office said the pope “exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen, whenever he was eligible to do so.”

The statement continued, “The Holy See Press Office confirms that in keeping with this long-standing practice of civic participation, he has submitted his mail-in ballot in Chicago.

“The Holy Father expresses his belief in the right and the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes,” the Vatican added.

Chieko Noguchi, executive director of public affairs for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said, “In voting, our Holy Father sets the example that encourages each citizen to exercise their civic responsibility.”

In a message to participants at an April plenary session of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, Pope Leo highlighted authentic democracy, which “recognizes the dignity of every person and calls each citizen to participate responsibly in the pursuit of the common good.”

In his talk, he cited St. John Paul II, who “affirmed that the Church values democracy because it ensures participation in political choices.”

Quoting from St. John Paul’s 1991 encyclical “Centesimus Annus,” Pope Leo added that democracy also offers people “the possibility both of electing and holding accountable those who govern them, and of replacing them through peaceful means when appropriate.”

Pope Leo noted that “democracy remains healthy, however, only when rooted in the moral law and a true vision of the human person.”

As we reflect on this election cycle and prepare for what will no doubt be an intense 2028 election season—which will include electing a new president of the United States—residents of Indianapolis in 2027 will take part in electing the city’s mayor. Let us remember in every election cycle that voting in local, state and national races is a serious responsibility and a moral act.

Nationally, we have two years to prepare for 2028. As we face whatever moral and ethical issues await us, may we all use our properly formed consciences and represent God’s truths as we cast our ballots.

—Mike Krokos