Vatican Vote: Leo XIV casts first papal ballot in US midterms

The Vatican confirmed Friday that Pope Leo XIV submitted a mail-in ballot for the upcoming U.S. midterm elections.

The pontiff, born Robert Prevost in Chicago, has become the first pope in history to cast a vote in a general election. The Holy See press office stated that he has exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen whenever eligible. The statement noted that he also voted while living in Peru. "The Holy Father expresses his belief in the right and the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes," the office said.

Records from the Illinois State Board of Elections show Prevost has voted in five primary elections since 2000. He requested Democratic ballots in 2008 and 2010 while registered in Cook County. After moving to the more conservative Will County, he requested Republican ballots in 2012, 2014, and 2016. The records do not specify which candidates he supported. Illinois requires voters to declare a party preference to receive a primary ballot, but no such declaration is needed for general elections. Prevost submitted ballots in every general election since 2000 except for 2020 and 2022.

The Chicago Sun-Times first reported the vote, citing the chief of staff at the Will County clerk’s office. The office confirmed that Prevost, registered at a New Lenox address, requested a mail-in ballot on Oct. 3. It remains unclear how the ballot was returned. His brother, John Prevost, was in Rome this week accompanying parishioners from St. Jude’s, an Augustinian-run parish in New Lenox. The elder Prevost attends Mass at that parish, and Leo gave a talk there in 2024 while still a cardinal.

The vote arrives ahead of the November midterm elections. The Holy See said the pontiff’s action reflects his long-standing belief in civic participation. The confirmation came from the Vatican’s official communication channels on Friday.