If the Pope Can Send His Postal Vote From Rome on Time, Perth Can Return Its Library Books
Leo XIV's ballot made it to Illinois. Our columnist would like to know where his neighbour's lawnmower has been since 2022.
A post box, the unsung hero of world democracy. Photo: Rodhullandemu, “Post box at 81 Coombe Road, Irby”, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
This week the Vatican confirmed that Pope Leo XIV has returned his postal vote for the US midterms, making him the first pope ever to vote in an American election.
I want to praise him, not for the voting, which is his business, but for the admin. He asked for a ballot in good time. He filled it in. He sent it back. The man runs a global church and he still managed it.
In Perth, meanwhile, we have people with library books from the last century. We have people who borrowed a ladder and kept it. We have people who have had a form from the council sitting on the kitchen table since the clocks went back. Last year.
If the Pope can get a ballot from Rome to Illinois, you can get a casserole dish from Craigie to Letham. It is three miles. The bus goes there.
So this weekend, let us all be a bit more papal. Return the book. Post the form. Give back the ladder. And if you have a postal vote of your own, send it back on time. The Pope did.
The real story: Pope votes in US midterms (BBC)
Letters to the Editor
The views expressed are those of the reader, and frankly that's on them.
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I have a library book from 1998. I’m too scared to take it back now. It’s become a family heirloom.
— Ruth S., Letham, 31 October 2026 -
My neighbour has had my ladder since 2014. He uses it more than I ever did. I’ve given up.
— Frank O., Craigie, 31 October 2026
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