By Islam El-Sakka
Pope Leo XIV has become the first pope in history to cast a ballot in a United States election. The Vatican confirmed Friday that the Chicago-born pontiff submitted a mail-in ballot in Chicago ahead of November's midterm elections.
Vatican Confirms Civic Participation
The Holy See press office stated that Leo XIV, formerly Robert Prevost, "has exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen" and has done so "whenever he was eligible to do so." The statement noted he also voted while living in Peru during periods of eligibility.
According to the Vatican, the Pope expresses his belief in the right and duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes. The 2026 midterm elections mark the first time a sitting pope has voted in a U.S. federal election.
