Pope Leo XIV has become the first pope to vote in a United States election, the Vatican confirmed on Friday, submitting a mail-in ballot in Chicago ahead of Tuesday’s midterm elections.
The Holy See Press Office said the Chicago-born pontiff had cast his ballot as an American citizen, describing it as part of a long-standing practice of civic participation. “In keeping with this long-standing practice of civic participation, he has submitted his mail-in ballot in Chicago,” the Vatican said, adding: “The Holy Father expresses his belief in the right and the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes.”
Leo, 71, was born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago and was elected in May 2025 as the first American-born pope in the Catholic Church’s history. He remains a United States citizen despite now heading both the Church and the Vatican City State, and he is registered to vote in the Chicago suburb of New Lenox, where his brother lives.
The Vatican said Leo had also voted whenever he was eligible during his years living in Peru, where he spent more than two decades as a missionary priest and bishop. He requested his Illinois mail-in ballot on 3 October, according to the Will County clerk’s office, which was cited by the Chicago Sun-Times.
Historians believe the ballot marks an unprecedented moment. Michael Walsh, a British historian who has written several books on the papacy, told CNN he did not think any pope had ever voted in a democratic election before, making Leo likely the first pontiff to do so in a secular democratic contest.
The Vatican did not say which candidates Leo had voted for. His Illinois ballot is expected to cover the state’s races for governor, where the incumbent, J.B. Pritzker, is seeking a third term, and for the United States Senate seat being vacated by the retiring Dick Durbin, alongside House and local contests.
The announcement comes days before Americans vote in midterm elections on 3 November that will decide control of Congress. Leo, who has urged people to make their voices heard since his election, has not returned to the United States since becoming pope.
Sources: Reuters, “Pope Leo becomes first pontiff to cast ballot in US election” (30 October 2026), https://www.reuters.com/world/us/pope-leo-becomes-first-pontiff-cast-ballot-us-election-2026-10-30/ ; CNN, “Pope Leo makes history by voting in US midterms” (30 October 2026), https://www.cnn.com/2026/10/30/europe/pope-leo-voting-us-midterms-intl?cid=external-feeds_iluminar_meta
