Pope Leo makes history by voting in US midterms

Pope Leo XIV has made history by casting a ballot in the US midterms, marking the first time a pope has voted in a US election and possibly the first to vote in a secular democratic election. The Vatican announced that the Holy Father submitted his mail-in ballot in Chicago, expressing his belief in citizens' right and duty to participate in democratic processes.

Michael Walsh, a historian who has authored books on the papacy, confirmed that Leo XIV would be the first pope to vote in a democratic, secular election. The pontiff is registered under his baptismal name, Robert Francis Prevost, in New Lenox, a Chicago suburb where his brother lives. The pope has previously voted in Republican and Democratic primaries and the 2024 presidential election.

Since becoming pope in May 2025, Leo XIV has promoted civic engagement, urging citizens to voice their opinions on the US-Israel conflict with Iran. Relations between the pope and the Trump administration have been strained due to disagreements over the Iran war and immigration policies. The pope is expected to vote in Illinois' senate, gubernatorial, and representative races.

He met with candidate JB Pritzker in November 2025, discussing immigration enforcement but later expressing disapproval of Illinois' medically assisted death legislation. It's unclear if the pope mailed his ballot from the Vatican, as his brother was in the Vatican with pilgrims for a meeting with Leo XIV. The Will County clerk's office has confirmed that the pontiff is among those who requested a mail-in ballot.