Pope Leo XIV has become the first sitting pope known to have voted in a United States general election after casting a mail-in ballot ahead of the November 3, 2026, midterm elections.
The Vatican confirmed on Friday, October 30, that the American-born pontiff had submitted his ballot in Chicago, Illinois, exercising his rights as a US citizen while serving as head of the Catholic Church.
In a statement, the Holy See Press Office confirmed that Pope Leo, formerly known as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, had voted whenever he was eligible to participate in American elections.
“In keeping with this long-standing practice of civic participation, he has submitted his mail-in ballot in Chicago,” the Vatican said.
The statement also highlighted the pope’s position on democratic participation, describing voting as both a right and a responsibility.
“The Holy Father expresses his belief in the right and the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes,” it added.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Pope Leo XIV holds both American and Peruvian citizenship. Before his election as pope in May 2025, he spent many years outside the United States, including a lengthy period serving the Catholic Church in Peru.
The Vatican also confirmed that he participated in elections during his years in Peru whenever he was eligible to vote.
His participation in the upcoming US midterm elections has attracted attention partly because of his position as leader of the world’s Catholic Church. Although popes have retained their national identities and citizenship, there is no known previous example of a sitting pontiff casting a ballot in a US general election.
Pope Leo’s voting history also shows that he participated in American elections long before becoming head of the Church. Records from Illinois indicate that he voted in several general elections, including those held in 2012, 2014, 2018 and 2024.
His participation in primary elections has also drawn attention. According to voting records, he requested Democratic primary ballots in 2008 and 2010, followed by Republican primary ballots in 2012, 2014 and 2016.
Illinois does not require voters to register with a political party. However, voters must select a party’s ballot when participating in a partisan primary election. The records do not reveal which candidates Prevost supported or how he voted in any of those contests.
For the 2026 midterm elections, his Illinois ballot includes important state and federal contests, including the race for governor and the election to fill the US Senate seat being vacated by Dick Durbin. Voters will also decide congressional, county and other local races.
The November 3 elections will determine the composition of the US House of Representatives and part of the Senate, as well as governorships in several states. All 435 seats in the House are being contested, alongside 35 Senate seats.
Pope Leo’s ballot was reportedly requested on October 3, while he was still based at the Vatican. His participation was first reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, which cited information from the Will County Clerk’s Office confirming that Robert Francis Prevost remained registered to vote in Illinois.
The development comes as the pope gradually resumes his public activities following a hospital stay. He was discharged on October 17 after undergoing surgery for a cancerous tumour in his lung.
Despite his recovery, the Vatican has continued preparations for his upcoming visit to South America, including a planned trip to Peru, the country where he spent much of his religious ministry before becoming pope.
The Vatican has not disclosed which candidates or parties received the pope’s votes. His participation, however, places a historic spotlight on his continued connection to the United States and his publicly expressed belief that citizens should take part in democratic life.
