León XIV casts first-ever U.S. ballot as pope

Pope León XIV became the first pontiff to vote in a U.S. election, the Holy See confirmed Friday. The 88-year-old pontiff cast his ballot by mail from the Vatican, with his voter registration maintained in Chicago, Illinois.

The Vatican’s Press Office stated that León XIV exercised his right to vote as a U.S. citizen. The statement noted that the pope has always voted whenever he was eligible. This includes his years of residence in Peru, according to the release.

León XIV requested his absentee ballot on October 3. He kept his Illinois voter registration active throughout the process. This allowed him to participate in the upcoming legislative elections without traveling to the United States.

The pontiff was born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago. He retained his U.S. citizenship after being elected pope in May 2025. His role as head of state of the Holy See did not strip him of his rights as an American citizen.

The Vatican said León XIV expressed his belief in the right and duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes. The statement framed his voting as part of a long-standing practice of civic engagement. The pope’s participation is now on record in the nation’s midterms.

U.S. voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, to choose members of Congress. León XIV’s mail-in ballot will be counted alongside those cast in person on Election Day. The Vatican confirmed the vote was submitted through standard absentee voting procedures.