Politics · United States · 2 hrs ago
Pope Leo XIV casts mail-in ballot in Illinois midterm election
Pope Leo XIV submitted a mail-in ballot in Illinois ahead of the US midterm elections, the Vatican said.
The Chicago-born pontiff is a US citizen and is the first pope known to vote in a US election.
US law allows citizens living abroad, including people working for foreign governments, to vote by absentee ballot.
Leo has also voted while living in Peru, where he spent more than 20 years as a priest and bishop.
The midterms will decide which party controls Congress and could affect the final years of President Donald Trump's term.
The nationwide vote is set for Nov.
3, and early voting has already begun in most states.
Pope Leo XIV submitted a mail-in ballot in Illinois for the U.S. midterm elections, becoming the first pope known to vote in a U.S. general election.
The Vatican confirmed the ballot had been submitted on Friday, Oct. 30.
The Holy See Press Office said Leo believes citizens have a right and duty to take part in democratic processes.
Leo requested his ballot on Oct. 3, shortly before undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous tumour from his right lung.
The midterm elections are scheduled for Nov. 3 and will determine which party controls Congress.
- Who
- Pope Leo XIV, formerly Robert Prevost, a U.S. citizen born in Chicago.
- What
- He submitted a mail-in ballot for the U.S. midterm elections. The Vatican says he has voted whenever eligible.
- When
- The Vatican confirmed the ballot submission on Oct. 30, 2026. He requested the ballot on Oct. 3.
- Where
- Illinois. The ballot was reported as submitted in Chicago; Leo is registered at a New Lenox address.
- Why
- The Vatican cited Leo’s belief in citizens’ right and duty to participate in democratic processes.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Leo requested a mail-in ballot from the Will County Clerk’s Office.
About 10 days after requesting the ballot, Leo underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumour from his right lung.
Leo was released from the hospital.
The Vatican confirmed that Leo had submitted his mail-in ballot.
The U.S. midterm elections are scheduled to take place.
- Ballot
- Mail-in ballot for the U.S. midterm elections
- Ballot request
- Oct. 3, 2026
- Election date
- Nov. 3, 2026
- Registration address
- New Lenox, Illinois
- Age
- 71
- Prior residence
- Peru, where Leo lived for more than 20 years as a missionary priest and bishop
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What people are saying
The Holy Father expresses his belief in the right and the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes
In voting, our Holy Father sets the example that encourages each citizen to exercise their civic responsibility.
I’m not afraid of the Trump administration or of speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel, which is what the church works for.
The mission of the Church is to preach the Gospel, to preach peace