In a historic first, Pope Leo XIV exercised his U.S. citizenship by mailing a ballot from his birthplace of Chicago ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections.
Key points
- Pope Leo XIV is the first pope to vote in a U.S. general election, submitting a mail‑in ballot from Chicago.
- The Vatican confirmed the vote but did not reveal the candidates chosen.
- Leo has a documented history of voting in U.S. primaries, alternating between Democratic and Republican ballots depending on his residence.
- U.S. law allows citizens abroad, even foreign heads of state, to vote absentee, though their citizenship may be subject to review.
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Prevost in Chicago, became the first pontiff to cast a ballot in a United States general election when he submitted a mail‑in vote for the November 3, 2026 midterms, the Vatican confirmed on Friday.
The Vatican’s press office said the Holy Father "has exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen" and reiterated his long‑standing belief that "the right and the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes" is essential, while noting that it did not disclose which candidates he supported.
Historic ballot submission
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops welcomed the act, with director of public affairs Chieko Noguchi stating that the pope’s example "encourages each citizen to exercise their civic responsibility" and urging Catholics to "put our faith before our politics" and uphold human dignity and the common good.
U.S. federal law permits citizens living abroad, including those employed by foreign governments, to vote via absentee ballot. The State Department cautions that it may "actively review" the citizenship status of Americans who serve as foreign heads of state, though such service does not automatically strip citizenship.
Vatican’s stance on civic duty
Records from the Illinois State Board of Elections show that Leo, under his birth name, has voted in five primary elections since 2000—requesting Democratic ballots in 2008 and 2010 while registered in Cook County, then Republican ballots in 2012, 2014 and 2016 after moving to Will County. He requested the 2026 mail‑in ballot on Oct 3, ten days before undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous tumour from his right lung.
Since his election to the papacy in May 2025, Leo has clashed publicly with U.S. President Donald Trump, who has criticised the pope’s comments on the U.S.–Israel war over Iran and on immigration policy. Trump labelled the pontiff "weak" and "captive to the radical left," to which Leo replied that he is "not afraid of the Trump administration or of speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel."
Political context and past voting record
The pope’s participation in a U.S. election underscores the Vatican’s emphasis on civic engagement, even as it navigates the diplomatic sensitivities of a pontiff who holds dual citizenship in the United States, Peru and the Vatican.
Reader questions
Did the Vatican disclose which candidate Pope Leo voted for?
No. The Vatican confirmed that the pope submitted a mail‑in ballot but said it would not reveal the candidates he supported.
Can a foreign head of state retain U.S. citizenship while voting?
U.S. law permits citizens living abroad, including those serving as foreign heads of state, to vote via absentee ballot, though the State Department may review their citizenship status.
How many times has Pope Leo voted in U.S. elections?
Records show he has voted in five primary elections since 2000, requesting Democratic ballots in 2008 and 2010 and Republican ballots in 2012, 2014 and 2016.
Source: aljazeera.com
