Pope Leo XIV becomes first pontiff to vote in US election

The Vatican confirmed on Friday that Leo XIV has become the first pope in history to vote in a United States general election. The Chicago-born pontiff, who holds US and Peruvian citizenship, submitted a mail-in ballot in Chicago ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms, exercising a right he has used at every opportunity — including two decades of elections while serving as a missionary priest and bishop in Peru.

The ballot request, filed Oct. 3 through the Will County clerk's office at a New Lenox address, came ten days before Leo underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumour from his right lung. He was released from hospital on Oct. 17.

Illinois State Board of Elections records show Robert Prevost, as he then was, has voted in five primary elections since 2000 — requesting Democratic ballots twice, in 2008 and 2010, and Republican ballots three times after moving to conservative suburban Will County, in 2012, 2014 and 2016. Illinois requires a party declaration for a primary ballot; none is required in a general election.

The pope's American civic habits have already produced friction. Leo has repeatedly condemned the US–Israeli war in Iran and called for dignified treatment of immigrants, drawing criticism from President Donald Trump, who called him 'weak' and captive to the 'radical left' in a public argument in April. Leo told reporters en route to Algeria that he is not afraid of the Trump administration.

One wrinkle remains unresolved. The State Department advises that it may 'actively review' the citizenship of Americans who serve as a foreign head of state — and the Holy See is an absolute monarchy with no political elections of its own. The pope's ballot in Chicago may be his last as a US citizen.