Pope Leo XIV Becomes First Pontiff to Vote in US Elections
Pope Leo XIV voted by mail in the United States congressional elections, marking the first time in history that a reigning head of the Catholic Church has participated in an American election, according to reports from Vatican press channels and Reuters.
Pope Prevost Casts Mail-In Ballot in Illinois
The 71-year-old pontiff, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, cast his ballot using a mail-in absentee process in Illinois. Vatican statements confirmed the action, emphasizing that the pope views participation in democratic processes as both a right and a duty of citizens. According to coverage from the Chicago Sun-Times, Prevost registered to vote in Illinois and requested his ballot on October 3. Vatican officials did not disclose which candidates or party the pope selected on his ballot.
Prevost Maintains Active American Voting History
Prevost holds both American and Peruvian citizenship, having spent nearly two decades serving as a missionary and bishop in Peru. American voting records show that the current pope has maintained an active voting history in the United States. He participated in several party primaries and cast ballots in nearly every general election held since 2000, skipping only the voting cycles in 2020 and 2022. Cardinal electors chose him to lead the global Catholic Church, which represents approximately 1.4 billion members, in May 2025.
Pope Leo XIV Clashes with Donald Trump
The historical vote coincides with a period of sharp public friction between Pope Leo XIV and United States Donald Trump. Trump has previously criticized the pontiff in public statements, labeling him “weak” and “terrible”. In response to geopolitical conflicts, the pope declared in March that God rejects prayers originating from individuals who start wars and have blood on their hands. In April, the pontiff condemned threats to destroy Iranian civilization as unacceptable and declined to join the American president’s initiative called the Peace Council for Gaza, while also calling for “deep reflection” on how migrants are treated in the USA.
The voting milestone follows recent medical procedures for the pontiff. On October 13, surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung after he received a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer. Attending physicians stated that he requires no further medical intervention for the condition and will proceed with an upcoming visit to South America.
More on Pope Leo
BREAKING: Pope Leo XIV makes history as the first pope ever to vote in a U.S. election.The Vatican confirms the first American-born pope, Robert Francis Prevost, has submitted a mail-in ballot in his home state of Illinois ahead of the November midterms, exercising his right to… pic.twitter.com/SRiFcb196w