Pope Leo XIV Closes In on 8th U.S. Vote

The Vatican confirmed on Friday that Pope Leo XIV has cast eight ballots in U.S. general elections since 2000. The Chicago-born pontiff submitted a mail-in ballot in the Windy City ahead of the November midterm vote. This action makes him the first pope in history to participate in a U.S. general election.

The Holy See press office stated that Leo, formerly Robert Prevost, has exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen. The statement noted that he has voted "whenever he was eligible to do so." The office added that the Holy Father believes in the duty of citizens to take part in democratic processes. The Vatican also confirmed that Leo voted while living in Peru during periods of eligibility.

The Chicago Sun-Times first reported the news on the ballot activity. A chief of staff at the Will County clerk’s office told the newspaper that the pope requested a mail-in ballot on Oct. 3. The request came from a New Lenox address. It is not public how Leo returned the completed ballot. His brother, John Prevost, was in Rome this week with parishioners from St. Jude’s in New Lenox. Leo attends Mass at that parish and spoke there in 2024.

Illinois State Board of Elections records show Leo has voted in five primary elections since 2000. He requested Democratic ballots in 2008 and 2010 while registered in Cook County. He requested Republican ballots in 2012, 2014, and 2016 after moving to Will County. The records do not list specific candidates. Illinois law requires voters to declare a party preference for primary ballots but not for general elections.

The election records show Leo submitted ballots in every general election since 2000 except 2020 and 2022. He was not a U.S. citizen during those years. He has lived in the U.S., Peru, and Vatican City since leaving his home country. The vote for the November election is the latest addition to his voting history.