Pope Leo Casts Mail Ballot in Illinois Midterms

The Chicago-born pope, formerly Robert Francis Prevost, remains registered at a New Lenox, Illinois, address. He requested a mail ballot on October 3, and the Vatican later confirmed that he had submitted it in Chicago. The ballot was sent to him at the Vatican, where he leads the Catholic Church.

The Vatican’s media office reported that Leo, as an American, has cast ballots whenever eligible, including while living in Peru. It described his participation as reflecting a belief in citizens’ right and duty to take part in democratic processes, rather than support for a party or candidate.

Illinois election records show Prevost requested Democratic ballots in the 2008 and 2010 primaries, then Republican ballots in 2012, 2014 and 2016. The records do not identify candidates he supported. Illinois voters do not register by party and may select a party’s ballot when voting in a primary.

The state’s November contests include an open U.S. Senate race and a gubernatorial election. Leo’s vote comes amid public disagreements with President Donald Trump over immigration policy and the war in Iran. Trump has criticized the pope, who has said he is not afraid of the administration and will continue to speak out about peace and other issues.

Leo, 71, recently returned to public duties after surgery to remove part of his lung. The operation found a localized lung cancer, and doctors said he would not need further treatment.

Pope Leo’s Ballot Puts Civic Duty in the Spotlight

Pope Leo XIV has voted in Illinois while continuing to speak publicly about issues of conscience, including immigration and the war in Iran. The Vatican confirmed that the Chicago-born pontiff submitted a mail ballot, making him the first pontiff known to participate in a nationwide American election.

The Holy See said Leo has voted whenever eligible, including during his years in Peru, and described participation in democratic processes as both a right and a duty. That message is a pointed reminder that public life does not stop at the ballot box—and that religious leaders can speak about the human consequences of government policy.

Leo requested his ballot on October 3 and remains registered in New Lenox, Illinois. Records show he has chosen Democratic primary ballots in 2008 and 2010 and Republican ballots in 2012, 2014 and 2016. They reveal no candidate preferences, and the Vatican stressed that his vote was not an endorsement of a party or candidate.

The vote comes after Trump attacked Leo over foreign policy and crime, while the pope has criticized the administration’s approach to immigration and its military campaign in Iran. Leo has said he is not afraid of the administration and will continue speaking about peace. Illinois voters now face a Senate contest and a gubernatorial race in the November 3 midterms.

Pope’s Vote Is Civic Participation, Not a Political Endorsement

Pope Leo XIV has cast a ballot in Illinois, a historic first for a pope voting in a U.S. general election. But the Vatican’s explanation was clear: his participation reflects a general belief in civic responsibility, not an endorsement of any candidate or political party.

That distinction matters in a climate where Leo and President Donald Trump have clashed over immigration and the war in Iran. The pope has criticized the administration’s policies, and Trump has criticized the pontiff. Yet Leo’s ballot cannot be treated as proof of how he voted or as a political statement about the candidates on it.

The Chicago-born pope requested a mail ballot on October 3 and remains registered in New Lenox, Illinois. State records show he selected Democratic primary ballots in 2008 and 2010, and Republican ballots in 2012, 2014 and 2016. The records offer no indication of his candidate choices. Illinois voters may choose a party’s primary ballot without registering with that party.

The Vatican said Leo has voted whenever eligible as a U.S. citizen, including while living in Peru. His participation is personal civic practice, not a church endorsement. Illinois voters will decide an open Senate race and a gubernatorial contest in the November 3 midterms.