Pope Leo XIV becomes first pontiff to vote in a US election

VATICAN, October 30 – Pope Leo XIV has cast his vote in an Illinois midterm election, making history as the first-ever pontiff to participate in a US election, according to the Holy See Press Office. "The Holy Father expresses his belief in the right and the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes," the press office confirmed.

Born in Chicago, Pope Leo became the first US citizen to hold the Vatican's highest position following his selection in May 2025. Since then, he has found himself at odds with the Trump administration over matters such as immigration enforcement and the US-Israel-Iran conflict.

The Holy See Press Office emphasized that the Pope voted in accordance with his eligibility as a United States citizen, both during his time in Peru and now in the United States. Midterm elections, which determine which political party will control Congress, are set to take place on November 3. Early voting has already commenced in various states. The Pope formally requested his mail-in ballot from the Will County Clerk’s Office on October 3.