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Pope Leo XIV Votes in US Midterms via Mail Ballot
· Confirmed
In Short: The Vatican confirmed that Pope Leo XIV, an American citizen, has submitted a mail-in ballot in Chicago ahead of the midterm elections.
The Vatican confirmed Friday that Pope Leo XIV, an American citizen, has submitted a mail-in ballot in Chicago ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections, citing his long-standing belief in civic participation.
Since 2000, Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, has voted in five primary elections, requesting Democratic ballots twice and Republican ballots three times, according to records held by the Illinois State Board of Elections.
Leo’s vote was first reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, which quoted the chief of staff at the Will County clerk’s office as saying the pope, registered at a New Lenox address, requested a mail-in ballot on Oct. 3.
The pope has been recovering and resuming his activities at the Vatican after being released from the hospital Oct. 17 and is moving ahead with plans for a trip to South America next month.
Nicole Winfield, Associated Press, reported that Leo XIV has become the first pope to vote in a U.S. midterm election.
The Holy See Press Office confirmed that Pope Leo XIV has exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen, whenever he was eligible to do so, and added that he submitted his mail-in ballot in Chicago.
According to an Oct. 29 report by the Chicago Sun-Times, a county official said the pope, who was born in Chicago, requested a mail ballot Oct. 3.
The Holy See Press Office said the pope regards participation in democratic processes as both a fundamental right and a civic duty.
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.”
What this adds
The Vatican confirmed that Pope Leo XIV has submitted a mail-in ballot in Chicago ahead of the midterm elections, citing his commitment to civic participation.
Public records show that Pope Leo XIV has voted in every general election since 2000 except those in 2020 and 2022, including five primary elections.
The pope’s decision to vote has drawn criticism from President Donald Trump, who called Leo “weak” and captive to the “radical left.”
Background
The Vatican confirmed that Pope Leo XIV, an American citizen, has submitted a mail-in ballot in Chicago ahead of the midterm elections.
Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pope, has requested a mail-in ballot for the Illinois midterm elections, becoming the first sitting pontiff to vote in a U.S. election.
What's confirmed
- The Vatican confirmed Friday that the Chicago-born pontiff had submitted a mail-in ballot in Chicago ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections, citing his long-standing belief in civic participation.
- Since 2000, Robert Prevost has voted in five primary elections, requesting Democratic ballots twice and Republican ballots three times, according to records held by the Illinois State Board of Elections.
- No such declaration is required in general elections.
- Leo, formerly Robert Prevost, “has exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen” and has done so “whenever he was eligible to do so,” the Holy See press office said.
- Since becoming pope, Leo has drawn criticism from President Donald Trump for repeatedly condemning the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran and calling for dignified treatment of immigrants.
- Leo’s vote was first reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, which quoted the chief of staff at the Will County clerk’s office as saying the pope, registered at a New Lenox address, requested a mail-in ballot on Oct.
- “Robert Francis Prevost is on the list of individuals who requested a vote by mail ballot for the upcoming election,” Fladhammer said, using Leo’s birth name.
- Pope Leo XIV, a registered voter in Illinois, has voted in next week’s midterm elections after he requested a mail ballot at his residence in Vatican City.
- The Vatican confirmed that Pope Leo XIV voted in the United States midterm elections, stating, “Pope Leo XIV has exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen, whenever he was eligible to do so,” and adding that he submitted his mail-in ballot in Chicago.
- With the midterm elections approaching in the United States, the Conference has been encouraging Catholics to exercise their right to vote and to do so in a way that places our faith before our politics.
- The Holy See Press Office confirmed on Friday that Pope Leo XIV, an American citizen, has voted in the US midterm elections.
- Public records show that he voted in the 2012, 2014, 2018, and 2024 general elections.
What's still developing
- Tensions escalated between the Pope and the US president in April, after the Pope called for peace in the wake of US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
- "The clerk's office has not yet received a completed ballot from the pontiff," NBC News reported.