Pope Leo XIV casts first-ever papal vote in U.S. general election

The Vatican confirmed Friday that Pope Leo XIV has voted in a U.S. general election, marking a first in the history of the papacy. The Holy See press office stated that the Chicago-born leader exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen. Officials noted that Leo has done so whenever he has been eligible, a practice that extends back to his years as a missionary priest and bishop in Peru, where he lived for more than two decades. The statement emphasized that the pope believes in the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes.

Leo’s ballot for the Nov. 3 midterm elections was requested on Oct. 3 from the Will County clerk’s office. The Chicago Sun-Times first reported the vote, citing the chief of staff at that office. The pope is registered at a New Lenox address in Illinois. The timing of the request occurred just ten days before Leo underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his right lung. He has been gradually resuming his activities at the Vatican since being released from the hospital on Oct. 17.

Records from the Illinois State Board of Elections show that Robert Prevost, Leo’s birth name, has voted in five primary elections since 2000. He requested Democratic ballots in 2008 and 2010 while registered in Cook County. After moving to the more conservative suburban Will County, he requested Republican ballots in 2012, 2014, and 2016. The records do not indicate which specific candidates he supported. Prevost submitted ballots in every general election since 2000, with the exception of 2020 and 2022.

Illinois voters are deciding whether to elect Governor JB Pritzker to a third term and are filling the open U.S. Senate seat vacated by the retirement of Dick Durbin. It is not yet clear how Leo returned his ballot. His older brother, John Prevost, was in Rome this week accompanying parishioners from St. Jude’s in New Lenox. John attends Mass at the Augustinian-run parish, and Leo gave a talk there in 2024 while he was still a cardinal.

Leo’s political engagement comes amid a public dispute with President Donald Trump. The president has criticized the pope for condemning the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran and calling for dignified treatment of immigrants. Trump earlier this year called Leo weak and captive to the radical left. Leo responded to these remarks while traveling to Algeria, stating that he is not afraid of the administration or of speaking loudly about the Gospel. He said he would continue to speak against war and promote dialogue among states. The public clash has subsided in recent months.