Pope Leo XIV becomes the first pontiff to vote in a US election, voting by mail

Pope Leo XIV became the first pontiff to vote in a US election. The Vatican confirmed Friday that the American-born pope had submitted an absentee ballot in his native Chicago ahead of the November midterm elections, citing his long-held belief in civic participation.

The Pope, former cardinal Robert Prevost“exercised his right to vote as an American citizen, whenever he was eligible to do so,” the Holy See press service said.

“The Holy Father expresses his belief in the right and duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes,” the Vatican said in a statement.

The Chicago Sun-Times was first to report Leo’s vote, citing the chief of staff for the Will County clerk’s office, who said Pope, registered at a New Lenox address, had requested an absentee ballot on Oct. 3. It was just days before his vote. recent operation for lung cancer.

The Pope recovered and resumed his activities at the Vatican after discharged from hospital on October 17 and move forward with travel plans in South America next month.

Last month, Leo told a general audience at the Vatican that the faithful should leave behind “all passivity and indifference” in the face of current events.

“We cannot remain indifferent spectators; rather we must listen with our hearts, let ourselves be challenged and get involved,” the pope said September 2 in St. Peter’s Square, according to Catholic News Service. “With Christ and supported by the power of his Spirit, believers are called to shoulder the burdens of their brothers and sisters, especially those crushed by injustice, discrimination and violence.”

The pope has a long history of civic engagement in the United States, the Vatican said, confirming that during his nearly two decades as a missionary and then bishop in Peru, Leo voted whenever he was eligible. He holds American and Peruvian nationality.

Pope, under the name Robert Prevost, was registered to vote in Cook County, according to Illinois State Board of Elections records. The Associated Press reports that he has already voted in five primary elections since 2000 – in the Democratic runoffs of 2008 and 2019 and the Republican runoffs of 2012, 2014 and 2016.

Illinois has closed primaries, meaning voters must declare their party preference to receive a ballot. No such declaration is required during the general election.

Pope has submitted ballots in every general election since 2000 except 2020 and 2022, the AP reported, citing Illinois election records.