Pope Leo XIV casts mail ballot in Illinois midterm elections
publishers 39articles 41first reported 30 Oct, 01:44 UTCdeveloping since 30 Oct · 3 editionstop 25 #8
Pope Leo XIV has submitted a mail-in ballot in Illinois for the Nov. 3 U.S. midterm elections, the Vatican confirmed Friday, making him the first known sitting pope to vote in a U.S. election.
The Chicago-born pontiff, formerly Robert Francis Prevost, is a U.S. citizen and remains registered to vote in Will County, Illinois. He requested an absentee ballot on Oct. 3, according to the Will County Clerk’s Office. The Vatican did not disclose which candidates he supported.
“The Holy Father expresses his belief in the right and the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes,” the Holy See Press Office said. It added that Leo had exercised his voting rights whenever eligible, including while living in Peru, where he spent years as a missionary and bishop and also holds citizenship.
Public records cited by NBC News show that Leo voted in several U.S. elections before becoming pope in May 2025, including the 2024 general election. Illinois voters do not register by political party and may choose a party’s ballot in each primary.
The Illinois ballot includes contests for governor, Congress and the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin.
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