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Chicago Native Pope Leo XIV Casts First US Midterm Ballot
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In Short: Chicago native Pope Leo XIV has cast a mail-in ballot in the US midterm elections, marking the first time a pontiff has voted in a US election.
Chicago native Pope Leo XIV has cast a mail-in ballot in the upcoming US midterm elections, marking the first time a pontiff has voted in a US election.
The pope, formerly Robert Prevost, is registered as a Will County voter in New Lenox, Illinois, where his brother, John Prevost, lives.
The Vatican press office confirmed the historic vote, stating that the pope regards participation in democratic processes as both a fundamental right and a civic duty.
In casting his ballot, he’s modeling active civic engagement, something he’s frequently called on U.S. Citizens to take up," said White, author of the book “Pope Leo XIV: Inside the Conclave and the Dawn of a New Papacy.
"Medicine must never become the servant of programmed death," Pope Leo XIV once said, reflecting his views on the importance of life and the role of citizens in democratic processes.
"In keeping with this long-standing practice of civic participation, he has submitted his mail-in ballot in Chicago," the Vatican said.
The pope has also voted in the 2024 US presidential election, continuing his tradition of civic engagement.
"A longtime Chicago native, the pope mailed an absentee ballot to Will County, and the clerk’s office confirmed to Fox News Digital that 'Robert Prevost is on the list of individuals who requested a Vote by Mail ballot'," said a Fox News report.
"The Chicago-born pontiff has officially voted in Tuesday's midterm elections, submitting a mail-in ballot in Illinois... With the Vatican confirming Friday the 71-year-old exercised his right to vote as an American citizen," reported TMZ.
What this adds
This report confirms Pope Leo XIV's historic vote in the US midterm elections, marking the first time a pontiff has participated in a US election.
The sources have not established the specific political party or candidate for whom the pope voted.
Background
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 cast a mail-in ballot in the US midterm elections, marking the first time a pontiff has voted in a US 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.
- 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.
What's still developing
- 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, Parker added.
- 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 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.
- Since becoming pope in May 2025, Leo XIV has encouraged greater civic participation, urging Americans to speak out on major public issues, including the US-Israel war involving Iran.
- 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.
- 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.
- Notre Dame and Villanova are both prominent private Catholic schools with connections to Pope Leo XIV.