Pope Leon XIV, originally from Chicago, has made history by casting his vote in the U.S. midterm elections, according to an announcement from the Vatican on Friday. He is the first pope to participate in American elections, marking a significant departure from tradition.
Born Robert Francis Prevost, Pope Leon XIV was elected in May 2025 and has actively participated in democratic elections, having voted in both Republican and Democratic primaries, including the 2024 presidential elections.
In a statement, the press office confirmed, “Pope Leon XIV has exercised his voting rights as a citizen of the United States whenever he has been eligible.” His ballot was submitted via mail from Chicago.
First Papal Vote in Democratic Elections, Historian Claims
British historian Michael Walsh, an expert on papacy, stated, “I don’t believe any pope has ever voted in a democratic election before.”
Records show that the pope is registered to vote under his birth name in New Lenox, a suburb of Chicago, where his brother John resides.
The midterm elections, which will determine party control of Congress, are scheduled for November 3, with early voting already underway in many states. According to NBC News, the pope requested his mail-in ballot from the Will County Clerk’s Office on October 3.
In less than two weeks, the Vatican announced that Pope Leon had undergone surgery to remove a lower lobe of his right lung, following a lung cancer diagnosis.
Despite health concerns, the 71-year-old pontiff is still set to travel to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru in early November as planned.
Tensions Between Vatican and Trump Administration
Since becoming pope, Leon XIV has clashed with the Trump administration on various issues, including immigration and the U.S.-Israel military actions against Iran. Tensions escalated in April when Pope Leon called for peace following attacks on Iran, prompting President Trump to respond critically.
Trump remarked, “I don’t think he’s doing very well,” adding, “We don’t like a pope who says it’s okay to have a nuclear weapon.” The pope retorted, stating, “The Church’s mission is to preach the Gospel, to preach peace. If anyone wants to criticize me for preaching the Gospel, they should speak the truth… I just hope to be heard for the value of God’s words.”
