Saturday, October 31, 2026 --:--:-- ET
New York 62°F Partly cloudy Los Angeles 78°F Sunny Chicago 55°F Windy
Subscribe
U.S. Edition Est. 2026 Oct. 31, 2026

US News America

Independent reporting for a changing America

Breaking
Tommy Carr Scores Twice on the Ground as Michigan Beats Rutgers 28-21 in Piscataway Peltola Denies Role in Alaska Namesake Candidate Dispute as Justice Department Confirms Criminal Probe Iran’s Khamenei Orders Military to Answer Any New Attack Without Geographic Limits Canelo Alvarez Beats Christian Mbilli by Unanimous Decision to Regain WBC Super Middleweight Title in Riyadh Pope Leo XIV Casts Mail-In Ballot in Illinois Midterms, a First for a Pope
Politics

Pope Leo XIV Casts Mail-In Ballot in Illinois Midterms, a First for a Pope

The Vatican confirmed Friday that Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pope, has submitted a mail-in ballot in Chicago for the Nov. 3 midterm elections, making him the first pope to vote in a U.S. election.

By admin Oct. 31, 2026 · 6:44 PM ET 2 min read

St. Peter's Square and St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City with visitors walking across the square
St. Peter's Square and St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City with visitors walking across the square

Pope Leo XIV has cast a ballot by mail in the U.S. midterm elections, the Vatican press office said Friday, making him the first pope to vote in a U.S. election.

“In keeping with this long-standing practice of civic participation, he has submitted his mail-in ballot in Chicago,” the Vatican said. “The Holy Father expresses his belief in the right and the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes.” The Vatican did not say which candidates he voted for.

Two hands holding a blank white envelope beside a blue mailbox
Two hands holding a blank white envelope beside a blue mailbox

A Chicago native voting from Rome

Leo, 71, was born in Chicago and is the first American-born pope. He registered to vote in Illinois under his birth name, Robert Francis Prevost, and requested a ballot on Oct. 3, the Chicago Sun-Times reported, citing the Will County clerk’s office. He is registered at a New Lenox address, in the suburban Chicago town where his brother John lives, according to the Catholic Review.

Voters in Illinois will select a successor for retiring Sen. Dick Durbin and choose whether to re-elect Gov. JB Pritzker, Reuters reported.

The Chicago skyline at dusk seen across Lake Michigan
The Chicago skyline at dusk seen across Lake Michigan

A voting record that predates the papacy

The Vatican said Leo has voted as a U.S. citizen whenever he was eligible, including during his years living in Peru. Voting records cited by the Sun-Times show he voted in general elections in 2012, 2014, 2018 and 2024, but did not vote in the state’s March primary this year.

Chieko Noguchi, executive director of public affairs for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said in an Oct. 30 statement, “In voting, our Holy Father sets the example that encourages each citizen to exercise their civic responsibility.”

Rows of empty wooden pews inside a large church with tall stained-glass windows
Rows of empty wooden pews inside a large church with tall stained-glass windows

Leo was elected to lead the 1.4-billion-member Catholic Church by the world’s cardinals in May 2025, Reuters reported.

Reporting based on coverage by Reuters and Catholic Review.

Related Stories