Pope Leo XIV votes in United States midterm elections by mail

Pope Leo XIV has voted by postal ballot from the Vatican in the 2026 United States midterm elections, according to the New York Post, the journal.ie, and Vatican News. The New York Post reported that the Vatican confirmed the Chicago-born pontiff submitted a mail-in ballot in Chicago ahead of the November elections. The Washington Examiner and the Chicago Sun-Times both reported that he remains a registered voter in the state of Illinois. [1][2][6][9][12]

The Holy See press office stated that the pope exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen and has done so whenever eligible, the New York Post reported. The journal.ie noted that the Vatican said the pontiff voted to express his belief in the right and duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes. The Holy See press office added that he also voted while living in Peru whenever he was eligible, according to the New York Post. [2][6]

According to the Washington Examiner, citing the Chicago Sun-Times, Kim Fladhammer, chief of staff for the Will County clerk's office, said the pope requested a mail-in ballot on Oct. 3. The Washington Examiner reported that the decision positions him as the first pope to vote in a secular election. [1][12]

Pope Leo XIV is the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City. Formerly known as Robert Prevost, he is an Augustinian friar who previously served as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and as bishop of Chiclayo, Peru. [2][13][14]