Pope Leo XIV has become the first pontiff to vote in a US election after submitting a mail-in ballot in Illinois ahead of November’s midterm elections, the Vatican has confirmed.
The American-born pope, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, is registered at an address in New Lenox and requested the ballot on October 3, according to election officials in Will County. He holds both US and Peruvian citizenship.
The Holy See said Leo had exercised his voting rights whenever he was eligible, including during his nearly two decades as a missionary and bishop in Peru.
“The Holy Father expresses his belief in the right and the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes,” the Vatican said.
The ballot request came days before the pontiff underwent lung cancer surgery. He was discharged from hospital on October 17 and has since been recovering while gradually resuming his activities at the Vatican.
Pope Leo XIV’s record of voting in Illinois
Illinois election records show that Leo, then known as Robert Prevost, was registered to vote in Cook County. He had voted in five primary elections since 2000, using Democratic ballots in 2008 and 2019 and Republican ballots in 2012, 2014 and 2016.
The state operates closed primaries, meaning voters must declare a party preference to receive a primary ballot. That requirement does not apply to general elections.
Records indicate that he voted in every general election from 2000 onwards except those held in 2020 and 2022.
Leo has previously urged Catholics not to remain detached from public affairs. Speaking at a general audience in St Peter’s Square on September 2, he said the faithful should leave behind “all passivity and indifference” towards current events.
“We cannot remain as unengaged spectators; rather, we must listen with our hearts, allow ourselves to be challenged, and become involved,” he said.
The pope is also preparing for a visit to South America next month as he continues his recovery.
