Pope Leo XIV has submitted a mail-in ballot for the U.S. midterm elections from his residence in Vatican City, becoming the first American pope and the first pope to vote in a U.S. election. The Vatican press office confirmed Friday that the 71-year-old pontiff, born Robert Francis Prevost, exercised his right as a United States citizen to participate in the upcoming November 3, 2026, vote.
Ballot Request and Long Journey from Joliet to Vatican City
The ballot request was processed on October 3, according to Kim Fladhammer, chief of staff for the Will County Clerk’s Office. The pope is registered to vote at an address in New Lenox, Illinois, where his brother, John Prevost, lives. Illinois election officials noted that any registered voter in the state can vote by mail without needing an excuse, following changes that phased out traditional absentee restrictions.
The paperwork’s journey requires traveling internationally from Joliet, Illinois, to Vatican City. While the Vatican confirmed the submission of the mail-in ballot in Chicago, election officials in Will County stated they had not yet received the completed document back from the pontiff, who underwent lung cancer surgery this month to remove part of his right lung.
Did You Know? Public records held by the Illinois State Board of Elections show that Pope Leo has a history of civic participation, having voted in the 2012, 2014, 2018, and 2024 general elections, as well as multiple primary elections since 2000.
Ballot Contests in Heavily Democratic Illinois Districts
The pope’s ballot features several prominent, solidly blue races in Illinois. Voters in his district will decide on the congressional seat held by Rep. Jonathan Jackson, D-Ill., the son of the Rev. Jesse Jackson. In the race to succeed retiring Dick Durbin, state Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton is running as the Senate Democratic nominee. Meanwhile, JB Pritzker is running for re-election, seeking to become the first Democrat in the state elected to a third term as governor.
State election records indicate that while Prevost was previously registered in Cook County where he requested Democratic primary ballots in 2008 and 2010, he later registered in Will County and cast ballots in Republican primaries in 2012, 2014, and 2016. Illinois voters do not register by political party and may select any party’s primary ballot during individual election cycles.
Pope Leo XIV could make U.S. election history without ever leaving the Vatican.The Chicago-born pontiff has requested a mail-in ballot from his home state of Illinois ahead of Tuesday's midterm elections, according to Will County officials.If he casts his vote, he could… pic.twitter.com/MzwWCdbAjU
Clashes Over Foreign Policy and Immigration Policies
The voting milestone occurs against a backdrop of public friction between Pope Leo and the administration of President Donald Trump. Since ascending to the papacy in May 2025, Leo has criticized U.S. policies regarding the war against Iran, mass deportations, family separations, and the dangers of artificial intelligence. In April, President Trump publicly criticized the pope on social media following papal calls for peace in the conflict stemming from U.S.-Israeli strikes, labeling him “WEAK on crime” and “terrible for Foreign Policy.”
Pope Leo addressed the criticism directly while aboard the papal plane en route to Algeria, stating that he had “no fear of the Trump administration” or of advocating for the Gospel. Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic, also urged the pontiff to exercise caution when addressing theology and U.S. foreign policy.
Expert Insight: British historian Michael Walsh noted to CNN that Leo’s participation marks a distinct intersection of spiritual leadership and modern secular democracy, highlighting how citizenship obligations persist even for the head of the Catholic Church.
Pope Leo XIV Requests Mail-In Ballot in Illinois
When did Pope Leo XIV request his mail-in ballot?
The pope requested his vote-by-mail ballot on October 3, through the Will County Clerk’s Office in Illinois.
What races are on the pope’s Illinois ballot?
His ballot includes contests for the U.S. House of Representatives featuring Rep. Jonathan Jackson, the U.S. Senate race to succeed retiring Dick Durbin, and JB Pritzker’s re-election campaign.
Has the pope voted in past U.S. elections?
Yes, public records show he cast ballots in the general elections of 2012, 2014, 2018, and 2024, as well as several prior primary elections.
Worth a look