Pope Leo XIV Becomes First Pontiff to Vote in U.S. General Election

Pope Leo XIV has become the first pope in history to vote in a United States general election, submitting a mail-in ballot ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections in Illinois. The Chicago-born pontiff, who holds dual U.S. and Peruvian citizenship, cast his vote by mail in his home state as part of his longstanding commitment to civic engagement.

Pope’s Voting History and Citizenship

According to a statement from the Holy See press office, Leo XIV, formerly Robert Prevost, has exercised his right to vote as a U.S. citizen whenever eligible. He has also voted while living in Peru, where he served as a missionary priest and bishop for more than two decades. The Vatican confirmed on Friday that Leo requested a mail-in ballot on Oct. 3, registered at a New Lenox address in Illinois. The pope’s voting record shows participation in every general election since 2000 except for 2020 and 2022.

Details of the Midterm Ballot

Illinois voters in this election are choosing whether to reelect Governor JB Pritzker to a third term and filling an open U.S. Senate seat following the retirement of longtime Democrat Dick Durbin. No statewide ballot issues are on the Illinois ballot. While President Donald Trump is not on the ballot, he has actively campaigned to maintain Republican control of the U.S. House and Senate during the final two years of his second term.

Voting Amid Health Challenges

Leo XIV requested his mail-in ballot just ten days before undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his right lung. He was released from the hospital on Oct. 17 and has been gradually resuming his duties at the Vatican. How the pope returned the ballot remains unclear, but his older brother, John Prevost, who resides in New Lenox and attends St. Jude’s parish, was in Rome recently accompanying parishioners.

Political Engagement and Public Disputes

Leo XIV has followed U.S. politics closely and has not shied away from voicing his views. Since his election, he has condemned the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran and advocated for humane treatment of immigrants, drawing criticism from President Trump. Earlier this year, Trump labeled the pope “weak” and accused him of being captive to the “radical left.” The pope responded by affirming his commitment to the Gospel’s message and promoting peace, dialogue, and multilateralism. The public dispute has since cooled, with Vatican officials emphasizing efforts to rebuild trust.

Ongoing Diplomatic Efforts

Although Pope Leo and President Trump have not spoken directly since the pope’s election, Leo recently communicated with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy regarding the humanitarian crisis in the Ukrainian city of Oleshky. The Vatican’s foreign minister, Archbishop Richard Paul Gallagher, explained that the U.S. ambassador to the Holy See has served as an effective intermediary, making direct contact between the pope and Trump unnecessary.

Pope Leo XIV’s historic participation in the U.S. election underscores his dedication to democratic processes and civic responsibility, reflecting his personal and dual citizenship ties to both the United States and Peru.