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Chicago-Born Pope Leo XIV Casts First US Election Ballot
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In Short: The Chicago Tribune reported that Pope Leo XIV has submitted a mail-in ballot for the US midterm elections, marking a historic moment for the papacy and highlighting his continued connection to American democratic affairs.
Chicago native Pope Leo XIV, formerly Robert Prevost, has cast a mail-in ballot for the upcoming US midterm elections, making history as the first pontiff to vote in a U.S. Election.
According to the Chicago Tribune, Pope Leo XIV requested a mail-in ballot to be sent to a New Lenox address on October 7, where his brother, John Prevost, lives.
The Vatican press office confirmed the news, stating that Pope Leo XIV has exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen whenever he was eligible to do so.
The Chicago Tribune reported that if a staff member recognizes the pope’s name as they go through the mail-in ballots, those in the room might want to touch it to receive a blessing.
Pope Leo XIV, who became pope in May 2025, has repeatedly called for 'a better kind of politics' and encouraged active civic engagement among U.S. Citizens.
The Chicago Tribune noted that Pope Leo XIV is registered as a Will County voter in New Lenox, Illinois.
The Vatican press office said in a statement that the pope regards participation in democratic processes as both a fundamental right and a civic duty.
The Chicago Tribune quoted White, author of “Pope Leo XIV: Inside the Conclave and the Dawn of a New Papacy,” who said, “In casting his ballot, he’s modeling active civic engagement, something he’s frequently called on U.S. Citizens to take up.”
The Chicago Tribune also noted that Pope Leo XIV has previously said, “Medicine must never become the servant of programmed death.”
Pope Leo XIV has also voted in the 2024 US presidential election, according to Arise News and Hoodline.
The Chicago Tribune reported that Pope Leo XIV has made an unprecedented move by casting a mail-in ballot in the upcoming United States midterm elections, marking the first time in history a pontiff has participated in an American electoral process.
The Chicago Tribune noted that Pope Leo XIV has encouraged greater civic participation, urging Americans to speak out on major public issues, including the US-Israel war involving Iran.
What this adds
The Chicago Tribune adds that Pope Leo XIV has officially voted in the 2026 US midterm elections, submitting a mail-in ballot in Illinois.
The Chicago Tribune adds that a registered voter seeking a Will County vote-by-mail ballot must submit an application, according to the Will County Clerk’s Office.
The Chicago Tribune adds that Pope Leo XIV has issued the decree granting Sheen the title of Blessed, while Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, serving as the Pope’s legate and principal celebrant, read the apostolic letter during the beatification Mass.
Background
Pope Leo XIV visited the Basilica of Santa Maria Regina Pacis in Ostia Lido on Sunday, marking his first parish visit in the Diocese of Rome during his pontificate.
Chicago native Pope Leo XIV has cast a mail-in ballot for the US midterm elections, marking the first time a pontiff has voted in a U.S. election.
What's confirmed
- Chicago native Pope Leo XIV has cast a local mail-in ballot ahead of the November midterms, making history as the first pontiff to vote in a U.S.
- Pope Leo XIV cast a ballot by mail in the US midterm elections, the Vatican press office said on Friday, a historic first for the American-born pontiff.
- “Pope Leo XIV has exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen whenever he was eligible to do so,” the Vatican press office said in a statement.
- Pope Leo XIV became the first pontiff in history to vote in an American election by submitting a mail-in ballot for the upcoming United States midterm elections, underscoring his 'belief in the right and the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes', Vatican News reported on Friday, citing an official announcement from the Holy See Press Office.
- He also voted in the 2024 US presidential election.
- The Holy Father met with delegations from both Villanova and the University of Notre Dame ahead of the "Eternal City Tip-Off" taking place in Rome. | Credit: Vatican Media “Growing up on the south side of Chicago, we oftentimes heard, ‘Go Irish!’” Pope Leo told the crowd.
- “In keeping with this long-standing practice of civic participation, he has submitted his mail-in ballot in Chicago,” the Vatican said.
What's still developing
- The most anticipated return: Leo XIV returns today to the embrace of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzano The Pope makes a pilgrimage this September 7 to the historic Marian shrine, on an official trip that rekindles the deep devotion that marked his first steps after his election Today, September 7, on the eve of the Feast of the Nativity of Mary, Pope Leo XIV is making one of the most significant Marian appearances of his pontificate by returning to the Basilica-Sanctuary of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzano.
- In a deeply emotional moment, Cardinal Ernest Simoni—often called a “living martyr of communism”—presented Pope Leo XIV with a relic of Albanian martyrs who suffered persecution under a brutal regime.
- Pope Leo XIV issued the decree granting Sheen the title of Blessed, while Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, serving as the Pope’s legate and principal celebrant, read the apostolic letter during the beatification Mass.
- British historian Michael Walsh, who has written several books on the papacy, said the development could also make Leo XIV the first pope to vote in a secular democratic election.
- As of Oct. 29, 69 deaths were reported, with dozens more injured.
- Augustinian Father Peter Donohue, president of Villanova, and Holy Cross Father Robert Dowd, CSC, president of Notre Dame, began the audience by addressing the Pope on behalf of their universities.
- Besides, I previously explained that the pope is a Cubs fan without knowing it.