Pope Leo XIV Casts First Mail-In Ballot for U.S. Midterms

The Vatican confirmed Friday that Pope Leo XIV submitted a mail-in ballot for the upcoming November midterm elections. This marks the first time a sitting pope has voted in a United States election.

The Holy See press office stated that the American-born pontiff has exercised his right to vote as a U.S. citizen whenever eligible. The statement noted that Leo, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, also voted during his years of residence in Peru. The Vatican emphasized his belief in the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes.

Records from the Will County clerk's office show the pope requested his ballot on Oct. 3. He is registered at a New Lenox, Illinois address. The Chicago Sun-Times first reported the vote, quoting the office's chief of staff on the request.

Illinois State Board of Elections records indicate Leo has voted in five primary elections since 2000. He requested Democratic ballots in 2008 and 2010 while registered in Cook County. After moving to Will County, he requested Republican ballots in 2012, 2014, and 2016. The records do not identify the specific candidates he supported in those primaries.

General election ballots were submitted in every cycle since 2000 except for 2020 and 2022. Leo is currently recovering from treatment for lung cancer and plans to travel to South America next month. His brother, John Prevost, accompanied parishioners from St. Jude’s in New Lenox to Rome this week.

Leo gave a talk at St. Jude’s in 2024 while still a cardinal. In a Sept. 2 general audience, he urged the faithful to avoid passivity toward current events. He told the crowd in St. Peter’s Square that believers must listen with their hearts and become involved in the lives of others, particularly those facing injustice.

The Vatican statement cited the pope’s longstanding view that citizens should not remain unengaged spectators. The mail-in ballot will be counted in the November general election, where Illinois voters do not need to declare a party preference to cast a vote.