Pope Leo XIV became the first sitting pontiff to take part in an election in the US. An American by birth, he exercised his right to vote and sent his ballot by post to Chicago on the eve of the mid-term elections on 3 November. The Holy See’s press office announced the historic decision by the head of the Catholic Church on 30 October, according to Vatican News.
- Leo XIV became the first Pope to vote in a US election.
- The Pope sent his ballot paper by post to Chicago.
- The Pope holds American and Peruvian citizenship.
- The US mid-term elections will take place on 3 November.
How the Pope voted in the US election
Leo XIV, whose real name is Robert Francis Prévost, was born in Chicago and retained his American citizenship after being elected head of the Catholic Church.
The Vatican has confirmed that the Pope sent his completed ballot paper by post to the state of Illinois, where he is registered to vote.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, as early as 3 October Leo XIV He requested an absentee ballot via the Will County Electoral Office. He is registered at an address in New Lenox, near Chicago.
Representatives of the Holy See explained that taking part in elections is a long-standing practice of the pontiff, one which he had observed even before his election. The Vatican emphasised that Leo XIV regards voting not only as a right, but also as a civic duty.
Why Louis XIV’s vote was a historic event
Leo XIV became the first American to head the Roman Catholic Church. His election created an unusual situation: the head of the Vatican State remains, at the same time, a citizen of the United States.
Previous popes also retained the citizenship of their countries of origin. However, there is no confirmed evidence that they took part in secular elections after their election to the papacy.
In particular, there is no information about the vote John Paul II in the Polish elections, Benedict XVI — in Germany or Francisca — in Argentina during their pontificates. That is precisely why Leo XIV’s involvement in the American elections is regarded as a historic precedent.
However, this vote does not imply official support by the Vatican for any political party. The Holy See does not disclose the Pontiff’s choice and presents his decision as a personal act of civic engagement.
Leo XIV also voted whilst living in Peru
Before being elected Pope, Robert Prevost spent many years working as a missionary and bishop in Peru, where he later also acquired citizenship.
The Holy See’s press office noted that, whilst living in this South American country, he took part in elections whenever he was eligible to do so. American electoral records also confirm his long-standing involvement.
According to local electoral authorities, Prévost voted in a number of general and party primaries in the US even before his election as Pope.
In particular, over the years he has received ballot papers to take part in primaries for both the Democratic and Republican parties. In the state of Illinois, voters can choose which party’s ballot to use in the primaries without being permanently registered with a party.
Thus, taking part in elections is not a new practice for Leo XIV, although he now votes in his capacity as head of the Catholic Church.
What the Americans will be deciding on 3 November
By-elections The US elections will take place on Tuesday, 3 November 2026. They will determine the new composition of Congress for the second half of Donald Trump’s presidential term.
Americans will elect all 435 members of the House of Representatives, 35 of the 100 senators, and the governors of 36 states. In addition, there will be numerous local elections.
In the state of Illinois, where Lev XIV is registered, voters will elect a new senator to replace Dika Durbina, who is stepping down, and will also be voting in the gubernatorial election.
US citizens abroad are entitled to vote by post in accordance with the established procedure. It was this mechanism that the Pope made use of when he sent his ballot paper from the Vatican.
