Pope Leo XIV has become the first pope to vote in a U.S. general election, submitting a mail-in ballot in Chicago ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections, the Vatican confirmed Friday.1,4
The confirmation makes the Chicago-born pontiff, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, the first pontiff to take part as a voter in an American election. The Holy See press office tied the decision to his longstanding belief in civic participation, saying he has voted as a U.S. citizen whenever eligible.1,4
The ballot was first reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, which quoted the chief of staff at the Will County clerk's office as saying the pope, registered at a New Lenox address, requested a mail-in ballot on Oct. 3. It is unclear how Leo returned the ballot.1,4
The Holy See press office said Leo "has exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen, whenever he was eligible to do so." The statement added, "The Holy Father has also confirmed that, during his years of residence in Peru he exercised his right to vote whenever he was eligible to do so." It said, "The Holy Father expresses his belief in the right and the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes."1,4
Illinois State Board of Elections records show that since 2000, Prevost voted in five primary elections, requesting Democratic ballots twice and Republican ballots three times. The records do not show which candidates he supported.1,4
Illinois voters must declare a party preference to receive a ballot in a primary, when parties choose their nominees for the general election. No such declaration is required in general elections. While registered in heavily Democratic Cook County, Prevost requested Democratic primary ballots in 2008 and 2010. After moving to the more conservative suburban Will County, he requested Republican primary ballots in 2012, 2014 and 2016.1,4
The records also show that he submitted ballots in every general election since 2000 except those in 2020 and 2022. The Vatican statement said he had also voted while living in Peru whenever he was eligible. Leo lived in Peru as a missionary priest and bishop for over 20 years.1,4
In this election, Illinois voters are deciding whether to elect Gov. JB Pritzker to his third term, and they are also filling an open U.S. Senate seat after longtime Catholic Democrat Dick Durbin's retirement.4
The ballot request came 10 days before Leo underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his right lung. He was released from the hospital Oct. 17 and has been slowly resuming activities at the Vatican. He is moving ahead with plans for a trip to South America next month.1,4
The pope's older brother, John Prevost, was in Rome this week accompanying parishioners from St. Jude's, an Augustinian-run parish in New Lenox, Illinois. The elder Prevost attends Mass there, and Leo gave a talk at the parish in 2024 while still a cardinal. Earlier, on Sept. 2 in St. Peter's Square, Leo told a general audience that the faithful should leave behind "all passivity and indifference" toward current events. "We cannot remain as unengaged spectators; rather, we must listen with our hearts, allow ourselves to be challenged, and become involved," the pope said, according to the Catholic News Service. "With Christ and sustained by the power of his Spirit, believers are called to take on the burdens of their brothers and sisters, especially those who are crushed by injustice, discrimination and violence."1,4
Since becoming pope, Leo has drawn criticism from President Donald Trump for repeatedly condemning the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran and calling for dignified treatment of immigrants. Earlier this year, Trump called Leo "weak" and captive to the "radical left." Responding to Trump's rebuke, Leo told reporters en route to Algeria: "I'm not afraid of the Trump administration or of speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel, which is what the church works for." He said, "I will continue to speak out strongly against war, seeking to promote peace, promoting dialogue and multilateralism among states to find solutions to problems." The public dispute has subsided in recent months.4
