Pope Leo XIV has made history by becoming the first pontiff to participate in a U.S. general election. He sent his mail-in ballot to Chicago for the upcoming November 3rd legislative elections.
The Holy See's Press Office confirmed on Friday that Leo XIV, originally from the United States, exercised his right to vote, maintaining a practice he followed even before assuming leadership of the Catholic Church.
"Pope Leo XIV has exercised his voting rights as a U.S. citizen whenever eligible," the Vatican stated in a release echoed by Vatican News on social media platform X.
The Vatican highlighted that in line with his tradition of civic engagement, the pope mailed his ballot to Chicago, where he was born in 1955 as Robert Francis Prevost.
The Holy See also noted that Leo XIV participated in U.S. elections during his time living in Peru, provided he met legal voting requirements.
"The Holy Father believes citizens have both the right and obligation to engage in democratic processes," the statement concluded.
This decision sets a milestone for the papacy, although voting is not new in Leo XIV's personal history. The current head of the Catholic Church retains U.S. citizenship and is registered to vote in Illinois.
According to the Associated Press (AP), the pope requested his ballot on October 3rd from Will County's election authorities, where he is registered at an address in New Lenox, near Chicago.
The absentee voting system allows American citizens living abroad to participate in federal elections without having to physically return to the U.S.
The November 3rd elections will see all 435 House of Representatives seats up for grabs, along with 35 Senate positions. Gubernatorial races will occur in 36 states, alongside numerous state and local contests.
In Illinois, where Leo XIV is registered, voters must decide on several positions, including the Senate seat vacated by Democrat Dick Durbin and whether Governor JB Pritzker secures a third term.
One remarkable aspect of the pope's voting history is that he has requested both Democratic and Republican ballots in primary elections. AP's examination of Illinois Election Board records shows that he participated in five primaries since 2000, choosing Democratic ballots in 2008 and 2010, and Republican ones in 2012, 2014, and 2016.
However, these records do not disclose whom he voted for. In Illinois, citizens must select a party's ballot to vote in its primaries, but this choice does not necessarily indicate political affiliation or candidate preference.
The records also reveal that he has voted in every general election since 2000, except for 2020 and 2022.
The pope's vote comes amid notable tensions with President Donald Trump, with whom he has publicly disagreed on issues such as the Iran conflict and U.S. immigration policies.
In April, Trump criticized the pope, calling him "weak and wrong" and challenging his stances on international affairs, even claiming Leo XIV wouldn’t be leading the Vatican if Trump weren’t in the White House.
Pope Leo XIV responded by saying he was unafraid of the Trump administration and would continue advocating for peace, dialogue, and diplomatic solutions to global issues.
Subsequently, during a tour in Africa, Leo XIV sought to ease tensions, stating he had no interest in a public spat with Trump and clarifying that some of his messages had been misinterpreted as direct replies to the president.
Their differences extend to immigration policy. In July, marking the 250th anniversary of American independence, Leo XIV addressed his native country, emphasizing immigrants' historical contributions to the U.S.
On that occasion, he argued for welcoming, protecting, and assisting those who come to the country in search of freedom and opportunity, linking respect for human dignity with citizenship responsibilities.
Pope Leo XIV's Historic Voting in U.S. Elections
Why is Pope Leo XIV's vote significant?
Pope Leo XIV's vote is significant because he is the first pontiff in history to participate in a U.S. general election, marking a precedent for the papacy.
How did Pope Leo XIV cast his vote?
Pope Leo XIV cast his vote by sending a mail-in ballot to Chicago, where he is registered as a voter.
What are the implications of the pope's vote for U.S. politics?
The pope's vote highlights his engagement in civic duties and may influence discussions on the role of religious leaders in political processes, though it does not directly affect policy.