Holy See confirmed that Pope Leo XIV voted by mail at mid-term elections in the United States. “Pope Leo XIV exercised his right to vote as a citizen of the United States whenever he had the opportunity,” reads a statement from Vatican press office.
“In line with this consolidated practice of civic participationthe Pope sent his own ballot paper by post to Chicago“, he explains further.
Voting while residing in Peru
“The Holy Father – continues the note – also confirmed that, during the years in which he resided in Peruexercised his right to vote every chance he had.”
The belief in democratic participation
In this way, concludes the Vatican statement“the Holy Father expresses his conviction regarding the right et al duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes“.
Michael Walsh, a British historian and author who has written several books on the papacy, said that Leo XIV was the first pope to vote in a democratic and secular election, reports CNN, which underlines the historic significance of the gesture. “The Holy Father expresses his conviction regarding the right and duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes”, commented the Vatican.
Leo XIV and the right to vote in the United States
The Pontiff, born in Chicago 70 years ago, with the name of Robert Francis Prevost, retained his US citizenship even after his election to the papal throne in May 2025. He is registered on the electoral roll in Will County, Illinois, and was able to take advantage of voting by post, a method widely used in the United States.
Participation in American elections
According to CNN’s reconstruction, as cardinal Prevost had already participated in some American electoral consultations in the past, including the primaries of the two main parties and the 2024 presidential elections.
A historic record for the first American Pope
The circumstance is particularly significant also on a historical level. Michael Walsha British historian and author who has written several books on the papacy, said that Leo XIV would be the first pope to vote in a democratic, secular election.
John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis do not appear to have exercised the right to vote in the elections of their respective countries of origin during the pontificate.
Leo A gesture consistent with his repeated calls for citizen participation in democratic life and responsibility in building the common good.
All the candidates from his constituency in Illinois
Pope Leo In Illinois, where the pontiff is still registered as a voter in Will County, the political competition primarily involves three appointments.
For the office of governor, Democrat JB Pritzker, who is aiming for a third term, faces Republican Darren Bailey, already defeated in 2022, and independent Collin Corbett.
For the Senate seat left by the Democrat Dick Durbin, who after thirty years has decided not to run again, the Democrat Juliana Stratton, current deputy governor of Illinois, and the Republican Don Tracy, former president of the state Republican Party, are competing.
There is also the independent Whitfield Harrington Jr. in the running. Then there is the vote for the House: in the first constituency of Illinois, the one in which the Pope’s electoral address falls, the Democrat Jonathan Jackson, son of the Reverend Jesse Jackson and outgoing MP, faces the Republican Christian Maxwell.