By — Nicole Winfield, Associated Press Nicole Winfield, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/leo-xiv-has-become-the-first-pope-in-history-to-vote-in-a-u-s-general-election Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Leo XIV has become the first pope in history to vote in a U.S. general election Politics Oct 30, 2026 12:53 PM EDT VATICAN CITY (AP) — Leo XIV has become the first pope to vote in a U.S. general election, casting a mail-in ballot in a contest that will decide America's future as the Trump era slowly comes to an end. The Vatican confirmed Friday that the Chicago-born pontiff had submitted a mail-in ballot in Chicago ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections, citing his long-standing belief in civic participation. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Leo, formerly Robert Prevost, "has exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen" and has done so "whenever he was eligible to…
Leo XIV has become the first pope in history to vote in a U.S. general election
In short
Federal law permits American citizens living abroad to cast absentee ballots, even while serving in foreign government administrations. Illinois records show the pontiff requested his ballot from New Lenox on October 3, just prior to having a cancerous lung tumor surgically removed. His ballot features high-profile contests, including the race to succeed retiring U.S. Senator Dick Durbin and Governor JB Pritzker's reelection campaign. State archives indicate he previously voted in both Democratic and Republican primaries over the past two decades.
Key points
- Dual citizenship allows the pontiff to legally participate in American elections despite…: Dual citizenship allows the pontiff to legally participate in American elections despite serving as the sovereign head of the Holy See.
- His personal voting record demonstrates consistent civic engagement across party lines th…: His personal voting record demonstrates consistent civic engagement across party lines throughout his career as a missionary and bishop.
- The unprecedented ballot submission follows public criticism directed at the pontiff by P…: The unprecedented ballot submission follows public criticism directed at the pontiff by President Donald Trump regarding foreign policy.