Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff, has cast his ballot in the 2026 United States midterm elections, with the Vatican confirming that he submitted a mail-in vote in Chicago.
The Holy See Press Office disclosed this in a statement on Friday, describing the action as part of the Pope’s long-standing practice of participating in civic processes whenever eligible.
According to the statement, the Chicago-born pontiff, formerly known as Robert Francis Prevost, “has exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen, whenever he was eligible to do so”.
The Vatican added that he submitted his mail-in ballot in Chicago, where he remains registered as a voter.
It also noted that during his years living in Peru, Pope Leo XIV exercised his voting rights whenever he was eligible.
The pontiff has expressed his belief in the right and duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes.
The confirmation follows reports that the Pope, who remains registered under his birth name at an address in New Lenox, Illinois, requested a mail-in ballot on October 3.
New Lenox is a suburb of Chicago where one of his brothers resides.
Under the United States Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, American citizens living abroad are permitted to vote in federal elections through absentee or mail-in ballots.
The 2026 US midterm elections are scheduled for Tuesday, November 3. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives will be contested, alongside 35 Senate seats, 36 governorships and several state and local positions.
In Illinois, voters will also decide on the successor to retiring US Senator Dick Durbin, while Governor JB Pritzker is seeking re-election.
If his ballot is counted, Pope Leo XIV’s participation would mark the first known instance of a sitting pope voting in a US election or another secular election while in office.
Public records indicate that before his election as pontiff in May 2025, Prevost participated in several American elections and party primaries, including the 2024 general election.
The 71-year-old Pope underwent surgery for lung cancer earlier this month and has been gradually resuming his official engagements.
He is also preparing for an apostolic journey to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru scheduled to take place from November 6 to 17.
The Vatican’s confirmation highlights the Pope’s continued participation in civic life, alongside his responsibilities as head of the Catholic Church.
