Pope Leo XIV submits mail-in ballot for Illinois midterms
The Vatican confirmed on Friday that the first American-born pope has voted in the upcoming election while residing in Vatican City.
By Leila Mansour ·
Robert Francis Prevost, known as Pope Leo XIV, cast an absentee ballot for the upcoming Illinois midterm elections. The Vatican Press Office confirmed the vote on Friday, October 30. The action marks the first time a U.S. president or pope has voted in an American election while residing in the Vatican.
Prevost is registered to vote in Joliet, Illinois. The Will County clerk's office issued him a mail-in ballot. Local officials have not commented on the specific paperwork. Prevost has a history of participating in Illinois primaries and general elections over the years. He also voted during his years of residence in Peru, where he holds citizenship.
The Vatican stated that the pope exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen. The Holy See Press Office noted this follows a long-standing practice of civic participation. The office confirmed he submitted his mail-in ballot in Chicago. The statement emphasized his belief in participating in democratic processes.
The next scheduled step is the counting of ballots in Illinois. Prevost's vote will be tallied with the rest of the state's mail-in ballots. The result will contribute to the final tally for the state's congressional and local races.
