Pope Leo XIV becomes first pope to vote in U.S. election
Also reported by PBS NewsHour, BBC World, CBS News
Summary
Pope Leo XIV voted by mail in the 2026 Illinois midterm elections, the Vatican said, making him the first sitting pope known to vote in a U.S. election. The Vatican said he supports citizens’ participation in democratic processes and has voted in U.S. and Peruvian elections when eligible.Key Facts
- Leo XIV is a U.S. citizen and submitted his ballot in Chicago, according to the Vatican.
- The ballot must travel from Vatican City to Joliet, Illinois, where he is registered to vote.
- The ballot includes Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s reelection race.
- It also includes the race to succeed Sen. Dick Durbin and a House contest between Democratic Rep. Jonathan Jackson and Republican Christian Maxwell.
- Leo XIV has voted in both Democratic and Republican primaries during the past two decades, the article reports.
- The Vatican said he also voted when eligible during his years living in Peru.
- Joliet radio station WJOL reported on Oct. 23 that the pope had requested a mail-in ballot.
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