VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV has made history by voting in an American general election, the Holy See announced Friday.
The Vatican confirmed that the Chicago-born leader of the Catholic Church submitted a mail-in ballot in Illinois ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections. The Holy See press office stated that Leo “has exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen” and has regularly done so “whenever he was eligible to do so.”
“The Holy Father expresses his belief in the right and the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes,” the Vatican added in its statement, noting that he also voted while serving in Peru whenever eligible. Leo, the former Robert Francis Prevost, spent over two decades in Peru as a missionary priest and bishop.
Illinois Ballot and Recent Health Battle
The pope’s vote was first reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, which cited the chief of staff at the Will County clerk’s office. Officials confirmed that Leo, who remains registered at a residence in New Lenox, Illinois, requested an absentee ballot on Oct. 3.
The request came just 10 days before the 71-year-old pontiff underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumor and the lower lobe of his right lung, according to news reports. Vatican officials later confirmed the cancer was localized and said no further treatment was required. He was released from the hospital on Oct. 17 and has gradually resumed his duties.
Vatican officials did not disclose precisely how the completed ballot was returned to Illinois election authorities. However, the pope’s older brother, John Prevost, visited Rome this week alongside parishioners from St. Jude’s, an Augustinian parish in New Lenox where the elder brother worships.
A History of Bipartisan Primary Participation
Illinois State Board of Elections records show that the pontiff has participated in every general election since 2000, with the exception of 2020 and 2022. Because general election ballots do not require a party declaration, his specific votes for candidates remain private.
State records reveal a split history in primary elections, where Illinois voters must declare a party affiliation to receive a ballot: Prevost requested Democratic primary ballots in 2008 and 2010 while living in Cook County. After relocating to suburban Will County, he requested Republican primary ballots in 2012, 2014 and 2016.
This year, Illinois voters are deciding whether to re-elect Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker to a third term and are choosing a successor for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by the retirement of longtime Catholic Democrat Dick Durbin.
Tensions With the White House
The unprecedented ballot comes following public exchanges between Leo and President Donald Trump. Earlier this year, Trump called the pontiff “weak” and claimed he was beholden to the “radical left” after Leo criticized the U.S.-Israeli conflict in Iran and urged humane treatment for migrants.
Leo addressed the criticism during a flight to Algeria, telling reporters:
“I’m not afraid of the Trump administration or of speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel, which is what the church works for. I will continue to speak out strongly against war, seeking to promote peace, promoting dialogue and multilateralism among states to find solutions to problems.”
While public tension between the White House and the Holy See has subsided in recent months, Leo’s decision underscores his continued connection to his native country as voters finalize their choices before Tuesday’s election.
