Summary
Pope Leo XIV cast a mail-in ballot in Illinois for the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, becoming the first pope to vote in a U.S. election. The vote comes amid public disagreements between Leo and President Donald Trump over immigration and the U.S.-Israel war with Iran.Key Facts
- The Holy See Press Office said Leo believes citizens have a right and duty to take part in democratic processes.
- Leo was born in Chicago and is the first U.S. citizen to serve as pope.
- NBC News reported that Leo requested his mail-in ballot from the Will County Clerk’s Office on October 3.
- Election Day for the midterms is November 3, and early voting has begun in most states.
- The midterms will decide which party controls Congress during the remaining years of Trump’s presidency.
- The Vatican said Leo underwent surgery to remove a lower lobe of his right lung after he was diagnosed with lung cancer.
- The Vatican said Leo plans to travel to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru in early November.
