Historic Ballot: Pope Leo Votes In U.S. Midterms

Pope Leo XIV has voted by mail in the U.S. midterm elections, a move that may make him the first pope to participate in a secular democratic election.

The Vatican confirmed Friday that Leo, who was born in Chicago as Robert Francis Prevost, submitted a mail-in ballot. In a statement, the Vatican said the pope believes citizens have both a right and a responsibility to take part in democratic processes.
Michael Walsh, a British historian and author of several books on the papacy, told CNN he was unaware of any previous pope voting in a democratic election.

Voter records list Leo under his birth name in New Lenox, Illinois, where his brother John lives. The pope has voted in past Republican and Democratic primaries, as well as the 2024 U.S. presidential election.

Leo has continued to speak about civic participation since becoming pope in May 2025. He has urged people to make their views known on public issues, including the war involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
His relationship with President Donald Trump’s administration has at times been tense, particularly over the Iran conflict and immigration policy.

Trump has recently made fewer public criticisms of the pope and has spoken warmly about Leo’s eldest brother, Louis, who supports him.
The Illinois ballot is expected to include races for the U.S. Senate, governor, House of Representatives and several state and local offices.

Leo has also engaged with Illinois politicians. He met gubernatorial candidate JB Pritzker at the Vatican in November 2025, where immigration enforcement was reportedly discussed.

The pope later voiced opposition to Illinois legislation permitting medically assisted death, which Pritzker signed.
Earlier in his public life, Leo—then known as Rev. Robert Prevost—contacted Illinois Governor Pat Quinn in 2011 to thank him for ending the death penalty in the state.

It remains unclear whether Leo mailed his ballot from the Vatican. His brother John was there Wednesday with a group of pilgrims from St. Jude’s Parish in New Lenox. Before the Vatican’s announcement, a Will County clerk’s office official told the Chicago Sun-Times that Prevost was among those who had requested a mail-in ballot.

Pope Leo XIV’s ballot marks a remarkable moment in history: as the first pope known to vote in a U.S. election—and possibly the first to take part in a secular democratic election—his participation highlights the importance of civic engagement beyond the Vatican.