The Chicago-born pontiff, who has a tense relationship with Trump, mailed in a ballot for the midterm elections that will decide control of the US Congress.

Dan S Sullivan, the incumbent Republican senator running for re-election, and allies have accused the Democrats of trying to confuse voters by recruiting Dan J Sullivan to also stand in the race.

It is Pike's first public statement since she survived an execution attempt by lethal injection in September.

Óscar Puente has been facing calls to resign after two high-speed trains collided earlier in the week, killing at least 69 people.