Pope Leo XIV has made history as the first sitting pontiff to vote in a United States election after casting his mail-in ballot in Illinois ahead of the November 3 midterm polls.
The Chicago-born Pope, who holds US citizenship, submitted his ballot for the midterm elections, becoming the first leader of the Catholic Church to participate in an American election.
The Holy See Press Office, in a statement, said the Pope believed in the right and responsibility of citizens to participate in democratic processes.
“The Holy Father expresses his belief in the right and the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes,” the statement said.
It added that Pope Leo had exercised his voting rights whenever eligible, including during his years in Peru.
The pontiff, who was elected in May 2025, is the first American to occupy the Vatican’s highest office. His participation in the election comes amid strained relations with President Donald Trump’s administration over immigration policies and the US-Israeli war with Iran.
According to NBC News, the Pope requested his mail-in ballot from the Will County Clerk’s Office on October 3.
The US midterm elections, scheduled for November 3, will determine which political party controls Congress and could significantly shape the remaining years of Trump’s presidency. Early voting has already commenced in several states.
Opinion polls suggest Democrats are well-positioned to regain control of the House of Representatives, with possible gains in traditionally Republican areas that overwhelmingly supported Trump in the 2024 presidential election. They also have opportunities to secure additional Senate seats.
The political atmosphere has heightened tensions between the Pope and Trump, particularly after Leo called for peace following US-Israeli strikes on Iran in April.
Trump subsequently criticised the pontiff, saying he was not doing a good job and that he was not a fan of him.
Responding to the criticism, Pope Leo reaffirmed the Church’s mission to preach the Gospel and promote peace.
“The mission of the Church is to preach the Gospel, to preach peace,” he said, according to Reuters.
Meanwhile, the Vatican has confirmed that the 71-year-old pontiff will proceed with his planned early November visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, despite undergoing surgery to remove a lower lobe of his right lung following a cancer diagnosis.
