Pope Leo XIV Casts Mail-In Ballot in US Midterm Elections, Vatican Confirms

Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff of the Catholic Church, has cast his ballot in the United States midterm elections, the Vatican has confirmed.

The Holy See Press Office announced on Friday that the Pope, formerly known as Robert Francis Prevost, had exercised his voting rights as a United States citizen by submitting a mail-in ballot in Chicago, Illinois.

The statement said the pontiff had consistently participated in democratic processes whenever eligible, including during his years of residence in Peru.

It added that Pope Leo XIV believed citizens had both the right and responsibility to participate in democratic processes.

The Vatican's confirmation followed earlier reports that the Pope, who remains registered to vote in Will County, Illinois, had requested a mail-in ballot on October 3.

The 2026 US midterm elections are scheduled for November 3, with voters expected to elect members of Congress and several state and local officials.

All 435 seats in the House of Representatives will be contested, alongside 35 seats in the 100-member Senate. Gubernatorial elections will also take place in 36 states.

The elections will determine the composition of Congress for the remainder of President Donald Trump's current administration and could influence the direction of federal legislation and oversight.

Pope Leo XIV, who was born in Chicago and spent several decades serving the Catholic Church in Peru before his election as pontiff in May 2025, holds American citizenship.

His participation is regarded as the first known instance of a sitting pope voting in a United States election.

The Vatican did not disclose the candidates or political parties for which the Pope voted.