Historic First: Pope Leo XIV Becomes First Pontiff to Cast Vote in U.S. Election

In a move that marks a significant first, Pope Leo XIV has become the inaugural pontiff to participate in a United States general election. The Vatican confirmed on Friday that the Pope cast a mail-in ballot in Chicago, his birthplace, for the upcoming November 3 midterm elections. This action underscores his "longstanding belief in civic participation," according to a statement from the Holy See.

The Vatican's press office stated that Leo, formerly known as Robert Prevost, "has exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen, as he has done whenever he was eligible to do so." The statement further elaborated, "The Holy Father expresses his belief in the right and the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes." The specific candidates Pope Leo XIV voted for were not disclosed.

In response to the Pope's vote, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a statement urging Catholics to "put our faith before our politics" and to "uphold human dignity and the common good." Chieko Noguchi, the conference's director of public affairs, remarked, "In voting, our Holy Father sets the example that encourages each citizen to exercise their civic responsibility."

Pope Leo XIV holds citizenship in multiple countries, including the U.S., Peru, and the Vatican, where he serves as head of state. U.S. federal law permits citizens residing abroad, even those employed by foreign governments, to vote using an absentee ballot. While Americans working for foreign governments are not automatically stripped of their U.S. citizenship, the U.S. State Department notes that it may "actively review" the citizenship status of individuals who "serve as a foreign head of state, foreign head of government, or foreign minister."

The article also notes Pope Leo's history as a voter. He requested a mail-in ballot on October 3, shortly before undergoing surgery for lung cancer. He has been gradually resuming his duties at the Vatican since his release from the hospital on October 17. Records from the Illinois State Board of Elections indicate that as Robert Prevost, he voted in five primary elections since 2000, requesting Democratic ballots twice and Republican ballots three times. Illinois requires voters to declare a party preference for primary ballots. Prevost, registered in Cook County, requested Democratic primary ballots in 2008 and 2010. After relocating to Will County, he requested Republican primary ballots in 2012, 2014, and 2016.

Since Pope Leo XIV's papacy began in May 2025, he has had several public disagreements with U.S. President Donald Trump. These have included criticism from Trump regarding the Pope's condemnation of the U.S.-Israel war on Iran and his stance on immigration policies. Earlier this year, Trump referred to the Pope as "weak" and influenced by the "radical left," prompting a notable exchange. Pope Leo XIV responded to reporters by stating, "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."