Pope Leo XIV Makes History as First Sitting Pontiff to Vote in U.S. Midterm Elections

10/31/2026

According to the Vatican, Leo "has exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen, whenever he was eligible to do so".

10/31/2026

Does becoming the Pope automatically mean giving up American citizenship? Can a foreign head of state retain the right to vote in U.S. elections? How does Pope Leo XIV’s dual status as the...

10/30/2026

The Vatican said Pope Leo exercised his right as a U.S. citizen, submitting a mail-in ballot in his native Chicago ahead of the midterm elections next week.

10/30/2026

The Vatican announcement comes as President Donald Trump has sought to cast doubt on mail-in voting.

10/30/2026

The Holy See press office said Leo, formerly known as Robert Prevost, had exercised his voting rights as a US citizen whenever he was eligible.

10/30/2026

Pope Leo has become the first pope to vote in a US general election. The Vatican confirmed on Friday that the Chicago-born pontiff had submitted a mail-in ballot in Chicago ahead of November’s...

10/30/2026

Leo, formerly Robert Prevost, "has exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen" and has done so "whenever he was eligible to do so," the Holy See press office said.

10/30/2026

Pope Leo XIV has become the first pope to vote in a U.S. general election.

10/30/2026

The Vatican confirmed Friday that Pope Leo XIV had submitted a mail-in ballot in Chicago ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections, citing his long-standing belief in civic participation.

10/30/2026

The Will County Clerk's Office confirmed that Leo, registered under his birth name Robert Francis Prevost, requested a ballot on October 3.