Pope Leo XIV makes history as first pontiff to vote in US election

International

EVEN as the head of the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV has not relinquished his place in the American electorate, casting a mail-in ballot that makes him the first pope known to have voted in a US election.

The Vatican confirmed on Friday that the Chicago-born pontiff had submitted his ballot in Illinois, marking what historians believe could also be the first time a pope has participated in a secular democratic election. The Holy See said Leo XIV’s vote reflected his belief that taking part in democratic processes is both a right and a civic duty.

Michael Walsh, a British historian and author of several books on the papacy, said there was no known precedent for a pope participating in a democratic election.

“I don’t think popes have ever voted in a democratic election before,” he told CNN.

Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, is registered to vote in New Lenox, a Chicago suburb where his brother John resides. Voting records show that he has participated in both Republican and Democratic primary elections in recent years, as well as the 2024 US presidential election.

Although he now serves as head of state of the Vatican, Leo XIV remains a US citizen and is eligible to vote in American elections.

His ballot is expected to cover several contests in Illinois, including the US Senate and gubernatorial races, as well as elections for the House of Representatives and state and county offices.

The pope has maintained an interest in political and civic issues in his home state. In 2011, when he was still known as Rev. Robert Prevost, he personally contacted then-Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn to thank him for abolishing the death penalty in the state.

His engagement with Illinois politics continued after his election as pope in May 2025. In November that year, he met Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker at the Vatican, where the two discussed immigration enforcement. Leo XIV later voiced opposition to Illinois legislation allowing medically assisted death, which Pritzker had signed into law.

The pontiff has also encouraged public participation in civic affairs, urging people to make their voices heard on issues surrounding the US-Israel war against Iran.

His positions on immigration and the conflict have placed him at odds with US President Donald Trump’s administration. Trump launched an unprecedented series of public attacks against the pope earlier this year, although his criticism has since become less frequent. The president has also repeatedly highlighted his relationship with Leo XIV’s eldest brother, Louis, a supporter of Trump.

Details surrounding how the pope’s ballot reached election officials remain unclear. The Vatican has not confirmed whether he mailed it from the Holy See.

His brother John was at the Vatican on Wednesday as part of a pilgrimage group from St. Jude’s Parish in New Lenox and attended a meeting with the pope.

Before the Vatican’s announcement, an official from the Will County Clerk’s Office told the Chicago Sun-Times that Robert Francis Prevost appeared on a list of voters who had requested mail-in ballots for the upcoming election.(MyTVCebu)