Pope Leo Makes History as First Pope to Participate in US General Election Voting
In a historic move highlighting both civic engagement and the evolving role of religious leaders in modern democracies, Pope Leo XIV has made headlines by exercising his right to vote in the upcoming U.S. midterm elections. This unprecedented action not only reinforces the importance of democratic participation from all citizens but also strengthens the connection between faith and civic responsibility as espoused by religious figures.
Pope Leo XIV has become the first pope to vote in a United States general election, having cast a mail-in ballot in his hometown of Chicago prior to the November 3 midterm elections. The Vatican confirmed on Friday that the pope, born Robert Prevost, opted for a mail-in ballot, expressing his longstanding belief in active civic participation. The Vatican’s press office emphasized that he has consistently exercised his right to vote as a U.S. citizen whenever eligible.
In a statement regarding his participation, the Vatican pointed out the pope’s commitment to democratic engagement, reflecting his conviction that citizens have both a right and a duty to take part in electoral processes. The Vatican did not disclose the specific candidates or issues that the pope supported.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops also responded to this landmark occasion by encouraging Catholics to put their faith before politics and to prioritize human dignity and the common good. Chieko Noguchi, the conference’s director of public affairs, commended the pope’s decision to vote, noting that the Holy Father sets an exemplary model for citizens to fulfill their civic responsibilities.
Pope Leo XIV holds citizenship not only in the United States but also in Peru, where he served as a priest and bishop for more than twenty years, as well as in the Vatican, where he acts as head of state. Under U.S. federal law, citizens living abroad, including those working for foreign governments, are permitted to vote via absentee ballot, although their citizenship status may be subject to review by the U.S. State Department.
As voters in Illinois prepare for the midterm elections, they will decide on a new senator to replace retiring Democrat Dick Durbin, as well as a potential re-election for Governor JB Pritzker. The pope, who requested a mail-in ballot on October 3—just days before undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his right lung—has gradually resumed his papal duties following his hospital discharge.
Historically, since becoming a registered voter in the U.S. in 2000, Leo has participated in five primary elections, often alternating between Democratic and Republican ballots. In 2008 and 2010, he requested Democratic primary ballots, while he later requested Republican ballots in 2012, 2014, and 2016.
Since ascending to the papacy in May 2025, Leo has had a tumultuous relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump, marked by disagreements on topics like the U.S.-Israel conflict and immigration policy. Trump’s criticisms of the pope have ignited a noteworthy exchange, with Leo asserting his commitment to the principles of the Gospel and his readiness to voice concerns over the administration’s agenda.
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