Pope Leo XIV has made history by becoming the first pope known to have voted in a United States election while serving as head of the Catholic Church.
The Vatican confirmed on Friday, October 30, 2026, that the American-born pontiff had submitted a mail-in ballot in Chicago ahead of the US midterm elections scheduled for November 3.
The announcement marks an unusual moment in the history of the papacy, bringing together the pope’s position as the leader of the world’s Catholics and his continuing rights as a US citizen.
According to the Holy See Press Office, Pope Leo XIV exercised his right to vote in keeping with his longstanding belief that citizens should participate in democratic processes.
“The Holy Father expresses his belief in the right and the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes,” the Vatican said in its statement.
The pope, formerly known as Robert Francis Prevost, was born in Chicago, Illinois, and holds both American and Peruvian citizenship.
His vote has attracted international attention, particularly because the leader of the Catholic Church has generally remained outside the electoral politics of individual countries while serving as pontiff.
Here are seven important facts about Pope Leo XIV’s historic vote and what it means.
1. Pope Leo XIV Becomes the First Pope to Vote in a US Election
The Vatican’s announcement confirmed that Pope Leo XIV had submitted a mail-in ballot for the November 2026 US midterm elections.
The development makes him the first pope known to have cast a ballot in a US election while serving as pontiff.
The confirmation followed reports that the pope had requested a ballot through election officials in Illinois.
The Holy See Press Office said his participation reflected a longstanding practice of voting whenever he was eligible as a citizen.
Although the pope now leads the Catholic Church from the Vatican, he has retained his American citizenship and the associated right to vote.
His participation is particularly notable because the pope’s responsibilities extend beyond the United States, with Catholics living in countries across the world.
The Vatican did not disclose which candidates or political parties received his votes.
2. He Cast His Ballot by Mail in Chicago
Pope Leo did not need to travel from the Vatican to the United States to participate in the election.
Instead, he submitted a mail-in ballot in Chicago, the city where he was born.
According to reporting by the Chicago Sun-Times, the pope had requested the ballot on October 3 through the relevant election authorities in Illinois.
The Vatican subsequently confirmed that he had submitted it.
Mail-in voting allows eligible US citizens who live abroad to participate in elections without returning to their home states.
The pope’s participation demonstrates how overseas voting arrangements can allow citizens to maintain their involvement in their home country’s democratic processes, even when their professional or personal responsibilities take them elsewhere.
However, the Vatican has not disclosed how the completed ballot was transported back to Illinois.
3. Pope Leo XIV Was Born Robert Francis Prevost in Illinois
Before becoming pope, Leo XIV was known as Robert Francis Prevost.
He was born in Chicago, Illinois, and spent the early part of his life in the United States before pursuing his religious vocation.
He later became an Augustinian missionary and spent many years serving the Catholic Church in Peru.
His work in the South American country eventually led to senior responsibilities within the Church before his election as pope in May 2025.
His American background made him the first US-born pope in the history of the Catholic Church.
Despite his elevation to the papacy, Prevost retained his US citizenship. He also holds Peruvian citizenship acquired during his years of service in the country.
His dual nationality provides the legal and personal context for his participation in the US election.
4. He Has Voted in American Elections for Years
Pope Leo XIV’s participation in the 2026 midterms was not his first experience voting in US elections.
According to voting records reported by American media, Prevost participated in several Illinois elections before becoming pope.
Records show that he voted in multiple primary elections, requesting Democratic ballots twice and Republican ballots three times.
Illinois holds closed primaries, meaning voters generally select which party’s primary ballot they wish to receive when participating in that stage of the election.
That choice does not necessarily establish a person’s overall political affiliation or reveal how they vote in general elections.
Records also indicate that Prevost participated in several general elections, including the 2024 US presidential election.
The available records do not reveal which candidates he supported in those contests.
His voting history demonstrates that participating in elections was part of his civic life before he assumed leadership of the Catholic Church.
5. The Pope Says Voting Is Both a Right and a Duty
The Vatican’s statement placed particular emphasis on the importance of civic participation.
It said Pope Leo XIV believes citizens have both a right and a duty to take part in democratic processes.
The message did not endorse a political party, candidate or particular election outcome.
Instead, it focused on the principle that eligible citizens should participate in decisions affecting their communities and countries.
The position is consistent with the broader Catholic tradition of encouraging civic responsibility while recognising that political choices can involve complex moral and social questions.
The pope’s vote has therefore been presented as an act of citizenship rather than a public declaration of support for a particular political movement.
Because the ballot is secret, neither the Vatican nor the public has been told how he voted.
6. His Ballot Covers Several Important Illinois Races
The November 3 midterm elections will involve more than the contest for the US Congress.
Illinois voters will also participate in state and local elections, including the race for governor and contests for other public offices.
The US midterm elections determine the membership of the House of Representatives and a portion of the Senate. State elections can also shape decisions involving public services, taxation, education and other issues.
Pope Leo’s Illinois ballot is expected to cover federal, state and local races for which he is eligible to vote.
Among the contests in Illinois are the race to fill the US Senate seat being vacated by Dick Durbin and the gubernatorial election involving incumbent JB Pritzker.
The Vatican has not provided details of the pope’s choices.
His participation is a reminder that elections can affect multiple levels of government, from national representation to local administration.
7. Pope Leo XIV Is Voting While Continuing His Duties at the Vatican
The pope’s historic vote comes as he continues his responsibilities as leader of the Catholic Church.
Following his election in May 2025, Leo XIV became responsible for guiding the Church’s global mission, meeting religious leaders, addressing international issues and overseeing Vatican affairs.
He has also continued public appearances and other duties following a recent hospital stay and surgery.
Reports published on October 30 said he was gradually resuming his activities and preparing for a planned visit to South America in November.
His participation in the US election adds another unusual chapter to his papacy, highlighting the intersection between his personal citizenship and his international religious responsibilities.
Nevertheless, the Vatican has not suggested that the vote changes his approach to political neutrality or represents an endorsement of any candidate.
The significance lies in the historical nature of a sitting pope participating in a US election while continuing to lead the Catholic Church.
A Historic Moment for the Papacy and American Democracy
Pope Leo XIV’s decision to vote in the 2026 US midterm elections has attracted attention because of his unique position as both an American citizen and the head of the Catholic Church.
The Vatican confirmed that he submitted a mail-in ballot in Chicago and reiterated his belief that citizens should participate in democratic processes.
His action also highlights the fact that becoming pope did not automatically end his participation in elections as an American citizen.
While the ballot’s contents remain private, the announcement has established a notable first in the history of the modern papacy.
For Pope Leo XIV, the vote represents an exercise of citizenship alongside his continuing responsibilities as pontiff.
His decision has also renewed discussion about the relationship between citizenship, public service, religious leadership and participation in democratic life.
- Official Vatican report: Vatican News – Pope Leo XIV votes in US midterm elections via mail-in ballot
- Further reporting: Reuters – Pope Leo becomes first pontiff to cast ballot in US election
- Additional background: CBS News – Pope Leo XIV becomes first pontiff to vote in a US election
