Pope LEO XIV becomes first head of Catholic Church to vote in American election

Saturday, October 31, 2026 -Pope Leo XIV has become the first pontiff to vote in a U.S. election.

The Vatican confirmed on Friday that the American-born pope submitted a mail-in ballot in his native Chicago ahead of November's midterm elections, citing his longstanding belief in civic participation.

The pope, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, "has exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen, whenever he was eligible to do so," the Holy See press office said.

"The Holy Father expresses his belief in the right and the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes," the Vatican said in a statement.

The pope’s ballot is expected to include votes for the Senate and governor race in Illinois, along with house of Representatives, state and county elections.

The pope, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, Illinois, holds both American and Peruvian citizenship.

According to voting records, Prevost has participated in several elections in the United States, including presidential and primary elections. He reportedly voted in five Illinois primary elections between 2000 and 2016, requesting Democratic ballots twice and Republican ballots three times.

He also voted in several general elections, including the 2024 US presidential election, before becoming head of the Catholic Church in May 2025.

The pope has been recovering and resuming his activities at the Vatican after being released from the hospital on Oct. 17 and is moving ahead with plans for a trip to South America next month.