Pope Leo XIV becomes first pope to vote in US election

Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pope, has become the first pontiff in history to cast a ballot in a US election after submitting a mail-in vote for the November 3 midterm elections.

The Vatican confirmed on Friday that the Chicago-born Holy Father, formerly Robert Francis Prevost, “has exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen, whenever he was eligible to do so.”

In a statement, the Holy See Press Office added that “in keeping with this long-standing practice of civic participation, he has submitted his mail-in ballot in Chicago.”

It further noted that he also voted during his years living in Peru as a missionary priest and bishop.

“The Holy Father expresses his belief in the right and the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes,” the statement said.

Leo, who remains a US citizen and is registered to vote under his baptismal name at an address in the Chicago suburb of New Lenox where his brother lives, requested the absentee ballot on October 3 from the Will County clerk’s office.

That request came just 10 days before he underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his right lung; he has since been gradually resuming public duties after his release from hospital on October 17.

His ballot covers races including the Illinois governor’s contest and an open US Senate seat.

Historians describe the move as unprecedented.

Michael Walsh, a British historian and author of several books on the papacy, told CNN that Leo XIV is likely the first pope ever to vote in a democratic, secular election.

“I don’t think popes have ever voted in a democratic election before,” he said.

Previous popes, including those from countries with elections such as Poland, Germany, and Argentina, are not known to have participated while in office.

Records show the pontiff has a history of voting in US elections even while living abroad, casting ballots in both Republican and Democratic primaries in recent years and participating in general elections including 2024.

The Vatican did not disclose how he voted in the current midterms, which will shape control of Congress during the final two years of President Donald Trump’s second term.

Leo has publicly differed with the administration on issues including immigration and military actions.

The timing and method of the vote have drawn attention amid ongoing political debates in the United States over mail-in ballots.

US law permits citizens abroad, including those serving foreign governments, to vote absentee.