The Vatican confirmed Friday that Pope Leo XIV has submitted a mail-in ballot in Illinois for the Nov. 3 U.S. midterm elections, making him the first pope to vote in a U.S. general election, according to CBC News, the BBC and CBS News.
Leo, formerly Robert Prevost, "has exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen" whenever he was eligible, the Holy See press office said. "The Holy Father expresses his belief in the right and the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes," it added.
The Chicago Sun-Times first reported the vote. It quoted the chief of staff at the Will County clerk's office as saying the pope, registered at a New Lenox address, requested a mail-in ballot on Oct. 3. How the ballot was returned is unclear.
The request came 10 days before Leo had surgery to remove a cancerous tumour from his right lung, according to CBC. He left hospital on Oct. 17 and has been gradually resuming his activities at the Vatican. The Vatican has said he will travel as planned to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru in early November, the BBC reported.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops praised the vote. "In voting, our Holy Father sets the example that encourages each citizen to exercise their civic responsibility," said spokesperson Chieko Noguchi. She said the bishops emphasize that the focus is not on whom a person votes for, but on encouraging Catholics to inform their conscience.
Illinois State Board of Elections records show Prevost has voted in five primary elections since 2000, according to CBC and CBS. CBC reports he requested Democratic ballots in 2008 and 2010, while registered in Cook County, and Republican ballots in 2012, 2014 and 2016, after moving to Will County. CBS, citing the Associated Press, lists Democratic ballots in 2008 and 2019. The records do not show whom he supported.
The records also show he submitted ballots in every general election since 2000 except 2020 and 2022. Illinois requires voters to declare a party preference for a primary ballot but not for a general election.
Leo, 71, also holds Peruvian citizenship after more than 20 years there as a missionary priest and bishop, CBC reports. The Vatican said he voted in Peru whenever he was eligible.
Papal historian Michael Kelly told CNN he was not aware of any pope voting in a democratic election before.
Leo has clashed with President Donald Trump over the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran and immigration. Trump has called him "weak" and said he was not a big fan of the pope. Leo has said he is not afraid of the Trump administration and will keep speaking out against war.
In Illinois, voters are deciding whether to give Gov. JB Pritzker a third term and are filling an open U.S. Senate seat after Democrat Dick Durbin announced his retirement.
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