Pope Leo XIV Makes History as First Pontiff to Vote in U.S. Midterms

Pope Leo XIV Makes History as First Pontiff to Vote in U.S. Midterms

Pope Leo XIV has become the first pope to cast a ballot in a U.S. election, mailing in his vote from Chicago ahead of the November 3 midterms. The Vatican confirmed the historic move, noting the Chicago-born pontiff exercised his right as a U.S. citizen.

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Pope Leo XIV has made history by becoming the first pope to vote in a United States election, the Vatican confirmed Friday. The Chicago-born pontiff submitted a mail-in ballot for the upcoming midterm elections scheduled for November 3, which will decide control of Congress [275155][275753].

The Holy See press office stated that the pope "has exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen" and has done so "whenever he was eligible to do so" [275313]. The Vatican added that the pope "expresses his conviction in the right and duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes" [274920].

The pope, born Robert Francis Prevost, maintains his U.S. citizenship and keeps his voter registration and a registered home in New Lenox, Illinois [274920]. Kim Fladhammer, chief of staff for the clerk's office in Will County, Illinois, confirmed the pope's voter registration to the Chicago Sun-Times [274920].

"The Holy Father has sent his vote by mail from Chicago," the Holy See said [274920]. The Vatican noted that the pope also voted during the years he lived in Peru, whenever he met the requirements [274920].

Election records show Prevost has voted in past Democratic and Republican primaries and in several general elections, including 2024. He chose the Democratic ballot in 2008 and 2010 and the Republican ballot in 2012, 2014 and 2016 [274920]. Illinois does not require voters to join a party, and voters choose a party's ballot in each primary [274920].

The pope did not reveal who he voted for [275536]. Leo XIV was elected pope on May 8, 2025, and is the first American to lead the Catholic Church [274920]. His differences with President Donald Trump over migration and international conflicts, along with his support for multilateralism, have created tensions with the U.S. president [274920][275155].

The Vatican cited the pope's long-standing belief in civic participation as the basis for his decision to vote [275313]. The statement noted that he had also voted while living in the U.S. before becoming pope [275313].

Sources

Pope Leo XIV Casts First-Ever Papal Vote in US Midterms #275155Pope Leo Votes in U.S. Midterms, a First for a Pontiff #275753Pope Leo XIV Makes History with First Papal Vote in US Election #274988Pope Votes in US Election for First Time in History #275520Pope Leo Casts First-Ever Papal Vote in US Election #275313Pope votes in US midterms from the Vatican #274920Pope Leo XIV Votes by Mail in US Midterms #275536

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