Pope Leo XIV Casts First Papal Ballot in U.S. Midterms

Five primary elections and three general elections form the voting record of Robert Prevost since 2000, according to Illinois State Board of Elections data. The Associated Press reported that the pope, now known as Leo XIV, cast ballots in every general election during that period except for 2020 and 2022.

The Vatican confirmed on Friday that the American-born pontiff submitted a mail-in ballot for the upcoming November midterms. The Holy See press office stated that Leo has exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen whenever he was eligible to do so.

Leo requested the mail-in ballot on Oct. 3 from a registered address in New Lenox, Ill. The Chicago Sun-Times first reported the move, quoting the chief of staff at the Will County clerk's office. The request came just days before the pope concluded a period of recovery and resumed his activities at the Vatican.

The pope holds dual citizenship in the United States and Peru. The Vatican noted that Leo voted whenever eligible during his nearly two decades serving as a missionary and then bishop in Peru. This civic engagement aligns with comments he made to a general audience in St. Peter's Square on Sept. 2.

At that time, Leo urged the faithful to leave behind passivity and indifference toward current events. "We cannot remain as unengaged spectators; rather, we must listen with our hearts, allow ourselves to be challenged, and become involved," he said. He added that believers are called to take on the burdens of their brothers and sisters, especially those crushed by injustice, discrimination, and violence.

Illinois law requires voters to declare a party preference to receive a ballot in closed primaries, a step not required in general elections. Records show Leo voted on the Democratic ballot in 2008 and 2019, and on the Republican ballot in 2012, 2014, and 2016. He is scheduled to travel to South America next month.