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

VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV has made history by becoming the first sitting pope known to cast a ballot in a United States election, marking an unprecedented moment for the Catholic Church and American democracy.

The Vatican confirmed on October 30 that the American-born pontiff submitted a mail-in ballot in Illinois ahead of the November 3, 2026, midterm elections.

Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, Pope Leo XIV is the first American-born leader of the Roman Catholic Church. Despite his responsibilities at the Vatican, he remains a United States citizen and has maintained a longstanding commitment to civic participation.

According to the Vatican, the pope has exercised his voting rights whenever eligible, including during his years living and serving as a missionary and bishop in Peru.

A Historic Moment for the Catholic Church

The announcement represents a significant first in papal history. While previous popes have addressed political and social issues, Leo XIV is the first sitting pontiff known to have participated directly in an American election.

The pope requested his absentee ballot through election officials in Will County, Illinois, where he is registered under his birth name.

The Vatican did not disclose which candidates he supported, emphasizing instead his belief in the importance of democratic participation.

Faith, Citizenship, and Civic Responsibility

Pope Leo XIV has consistently encouraged individuals to engage with the challenges facing their communities, including poverty, immigration, peace, and social justice.

His decision to vote highlights an unusual intersection of religious leadership and civic responsibility, demonstrating that the leader of the world's approximately 1.4 billion Catholics continues to exercise his rights as an American citizen.

An Unprecedented Papal Milestone

The historic vote comes during the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, when Americans are choosing representatives for Congress and numerous state and local offices.

Although the Vatican has not revealed the pope's political preferences, his participation has attracted international attention and renewed discussion about the relationship between faith, citizenship, and democracy.

For Pope Leo XIV, the decision reflects a longstanding personal practice of civic engagement — one that has now become a milestone in the history of the papacy.