The Vatican confirmed that Pope Leo XIV returned a ballot for the November 3 midterms, a first for any pope, but the reports reviewed do not say how he voted.
Tamrah News Desk | October 31, 2026
Pope Leo votes in the 2026 US midterm elections, becoming the first pope to take part in an American election. The Vatican confirmed on Friday, October 30, that he submitted a mail ballot in Chicago, according to CBS News. The Holy See Press Office said the pope believes in
“the right and the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes”
as CBS News reported. Americans vote in the midterms on November 3.
How the Pope Leo Votes Story Broke
The Chicago Sun Times reported on Thursday that Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, is still a registered Illinois voter and had requested a mail ballot. Kim Fladhammer, chief of staff at the Will County clerk’s office, told the paper that Prevost is on the list of people who requested one.
CBS News, citing the Sun Times, reported that the request was made on October 3 and that his registered address is in New Lenox. NCR reported that the Vatican statement came in response to the Sun Times reporting. The Vatican also said he voted whenever he was eligible during his years in Peru, according to CBS News.
Why Pope Leo Votes in Illinois Elections
CNN reported that the pope remains a US citizen and may vote even though he leads Vatican City State. After his election in May 2025, questions arose over whether he would have to give up that citizenship. NCR reported that by requesting a ballot, he has evidently not done so.
Earlier in 2025, ABC News quoted a spokesperson for the Illinois State Board of Elections as saying a voter living abroad can keep voting by mail as long as the Illinois voting address is maintained. The Sun Times reported that any registered Illinois voter can vote by mail, though the application deadline this year was October 29.
What Is on the Pope’s Ballot
CNN reported that the ballot is expected to include Illinois races for the Senate and governor, along with House, state and county contests. Axios said Governor JB Pritzker’s reelection bid is on it and that the ballot has to travel from Vatican City to Joliet, Illinois.
How the pope returned the ballot is unclear, according to CNN and NCR. CNN noted that his brother John was at the Vatican on Wednesday with pilgrims from St Jude’s Parish in New Lenox for a meeting with the pope. CNN and Axios both described the vote as a first for a pope in a US election, and both suggested it may be the first in any secular democratic election.
Who Did Pope Leo Vote For?
The reports reviewed by Tamrah News do not say whom or what the pope voted for. ABC News reported earlier that Illinois voting records show which elections a person took part in, not how they voted. The Vatican statement described the vote as part of a longstanding practice of civic participation, according to the Sun Times.
Voting History and Political Backdrop
CBS News reported that his Illinois record is mixed, with more Republican primary ballots than Democratic ones, and that he last voted in the 2024 general election. Axios, citing the Associated Press, reported that he requested Democratic primary ballots in 2008 and 2010. Illinois has no party registration, so choosing a primary ballot does not show party membership, according to ABC News.
America Magazine reported that Pope Leo and President Donald Trump have publicly differed on immigration, the war in the Middle East and climate change. It added that Leo has not met or spoken by phone with Trump since his election. The Washington Post reported that the announcement comes as Trump has sought to cast doubt on mail voting.
Pritzker noted the vote on social media, writing,
“If the Pope can vote all the way from Vatican City, you can too!”
according to the Sun Times. Read our Related reading: Pope Leo Discharged From Hospital 4 Days After Lung Cancer Surgery
Conclusion
Pope Leo XIV is the first pope to vote in a US election, and the Vatican has confirmed his mail ballot was submitted in Chicago for the Illinois races in the US midterm elections. The vote has put the pope’s American citizenship, his Illinois voter record and the debate over mail voting back in the news. Readers following the story should watch for any new statements from the Vatican and Will County officials.
