Pope votes in US midterm

Pope Leo XIV cast a mail-in ballot in Chicago on Friday, marking the first time a pope has voted in a United States general election. The Vatican press office confirmed the move, stating that the pontiff exercised his right as a US citizen. The ballot was submitted ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.

The Holy Father cited his belief in civic participation as the reason for voting. The Vatican did not disclose which candidates Leo supported. Chieko Noguchi, director of public affairs for the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, said the vote sets an example for citizens to exercise their civic responsibility.

Leo, formerly Robert Prevost, holds citizenship in the US, Peru, and the Vatican. He lived in Peru for more than 20 years as a priest and bishop. US federal law allows citizens living abroad to vote via absentee ballot, even if they serve for foreign governments. The State Department notes it may review the citizenship status of Americans serving as foreign heads of state.

In Illinois, voters will choose a successor to retiring Senator Dick Durbin and decide whether to re-elect Governor JB Pritzker. Leo requested his mail-in ballot on October 3. That was ten days before he underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his right lung. He was released from the hospital on October 17 and has slowly resumed his activities at the Vatican.

Records from the Illinois State Board of Elections show Leo voted in five primary elections since 2000. As Robert Prevost, he requested Democratic ballots in 2008 and 2010 while registered in Cook County. He later moved to Will County and requested Republican ballots in 2012, 2014, and 2016. Illinois voters must declare a party preference to receive a primary ballot.

Relations between the pope and US President Donald Trump have been strained since Leo became pope in May 2025. Trump criticized the pope for condemning the US-Israel war on Iran and challenging the administration's immigration crackdown. Trump previously called Leo weak and captive to the radical left. Leo told reporters he is not afraid of the administration or of speaking out loudly about the Gospel.