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Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV casts historic US midterm ballot
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In Short: Chicago native Pope Leo XIV has become the first pontiff to vote in a US midterm election, submitting a mail-in ballot from Vatican City.
Chicago native Pope Leo XIV has made history by casting a mail-in ballot for the upcoming US midterm elections, marking the first time a pope has voted in an American election.
The Vatican confirmed Friday that Pope Leo XIV, who remains an American citizen, has submitted his ballot in Chicago, underscoring his commitment to civic participation.
Pope Leo XIV, formerly Robert Prevost, is registered as a Will County voter in New Lenox, where his brother, John Prevost, lives.
White, author of 'Pope Leo XIV: Inside the Conclave and the Dawn of a New Papacy,' said Leo has repeatedly called for 'a better kind of politics,' and in casting his ballot, he's modeling active civic engagement.
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.
The pope’s actions reflect his belief in the importance of active civic engagement, urging Americans to speak out on major public issues, including the US-Israel war involving Iran.
Pope Leo XIV’s ballot submission highlights his continued connection to American democratic affairs and his deep devotion to his faith, as seen in his pilgrimage to the Basilica-Sanctuary of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzano.
What this adds
The Chicago Tribune and other outlets reported that 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.
Leo XIV’s ballot submission marks the first time a Catholic pope has voted in a U.S. election in Church history.
Leo XIV’s ballot submission is a significant moment in the papacy, as he is the first US citizen to hold the Vatican's highest seat, selected in May 2025.
Background
Chicago native Pope Leo XIV has cast a mail-in ballot for the upcoming US midterm elections, marking a historic first for the papacy.
The Chicago Tribune reported that 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.
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.
- The Holy See confirmed that Leo had submitted his ballot in Chicago, describing voting as a longstanding personal practice. 'The Holy Father expresses his belief in the right and the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes,' the Vatican said.
What's still developing
- “Medicine must never become the servant of programmed death,” he once said.
- 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.
- Archbishop Laurent Ulrich said the Mass would be a “historic celebration”.
- 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 called on France to defend human dignity, promote peace and protect the common good as he began his four-day apostolic journey to the country on September 25.
- 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.
- Pope Leo also announced that Blessed Fulton Sheen’s feast day will be 9 December, the anniversary of his death in 1979.
- Tens of thousands of faithful gathered for the historic celebration.