Pope Leo XIV has cast a ballot in the United States midterm elections via mail to Chicago, the Vatican press office announced Friday, Oct. 30, 2026. This marks the first time a pope has voted in U.S. elections, according to reports from DW.
The Holy See confirmed the pontiff voted as a U.S. citizen, describing the act as part of a “well established practice of civic participation.” The Vatican added that the pope has voted whenever he had the opportunity to do so.
Absentee Ballot Process in Illinois
The vote was facilitated by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA), which allows U.S. citizens living abroad to vote by mail, as detailed by Vatican News. Robert Francis Prevost, the pope’s civil name, is registered to vote in the Will County Secretary’s Office in the Chicago metropolitan area.
According to ANSA, the request for an absentee ballot was registered on Oct. 3, using the address of the pope’s brother, John, in New Lenox. The radio station WJOL of Joliet first reported the request on Oct. 23, noting that a member of the pope’s entourage handled the application.
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Did you know? Pope Leo XIV holds triple citizenship: Vatican, Peruvian, and United States.
Voting History of Robert Francis Prevost
Before his election as pope, Robert Francis Prevost spent nearly two decades as a missionary and bishop in Peru. The Vatican confirmed he exercised his right to vote in Peru whenever he met the requirements during his residency there.
Records cited by The New York Times show Prevost’s history of alternating party ballots in Illinois. He voted in Democratic primaries in 2008 and 2010, and participated in three Republican primaries in subsequent years.
Tensions with the U.S. Administration
The act of voting follows a period of public friction between the Holy Father and U.S. President Donald Trump. The two clashed over the pope’s criticism of U.S. immigration crackdown policies and the conflict with Iran.
Trump described the pope as “weak” on crime and “terrible” regarding foreign policy. In response, the pope stated he “is not afraid” of the U.S. president. In September, Leo XIV urged the faithful to abandon “passivity and indifference” toward current events during a weekly general audience at St. Peter’s Square.
Pro tip: Midterm elections in the U.S. occur every four years to determine which party leads Congress, rather than to elect the president.
Pope Urges Citizens to Participate in Democratic Processes
Vatican News reports that the pope expressed a conviction regarding the “right and duty” of citizens to participate in democratic processes. This aligns with his recent public calls for believers to stop being “passive spectators” and instead engage with the world.
Voting Records Comparison
| Location | Context | Affiliation/Method |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Current/Past | Mixed (Dem/Rep) / Mail-in |
| Peru | Past Residence | As citizen (confirmed by Vatican) |
Pope Leo XIV Voting FAQs
Can a pope legally vote in a foreign election?
Pope Leo XIV is a U.S. citizen and utilized the UOCAVA law to vote from abroad.
Where exactly is the pope registered to vote?
He is registered in Will County, Illinois, using his brother’s address in New Lenox, according to Kim Fladhammer, chief of staff for the Will County Secretary’s Office.
When is the deadline for these elections?
The midterm elections are scheduled for Nov. 3, 2026.
While the Vatican has confirmed the ballot was sent to Chicago, ANSA reports it remains unknown if the pope has officially returned the completed ballot.
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