A single mail-in ballot has given Pope Leo XIV another place in American history.
The first American pope has become the first sitting pontiff to vote in a U.S. election. The Vatican confirmed Friday, Oct. 30, that he submitted his ballot ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms, Vatican News and The Associated Press reported.
The Chicago-born leader of the Roman Catholic Church remains a U.S. citizen. Now, while serving as a foreign head of state, he has exercised the same right as millions of Americans choosing their representatives.
Breitbart reported Oct. 29 that Leo requested a mail-in ballot through the Will County clerk’s office in Illinois. That report preceded the Vatican’s confirmation that he had voted.
“Robert Francis Prevost is on the list of individuals who requested a vote by mail ballot for the upcoming election,” Kim Fladhammer, the clerk’s office chief of staff, told the Chicago Sun-Times.
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Prevost, Leo’s birth name, remains registered at a New Lenox address. He requested the ballot Oct. 3, according to the newspaper.
His Illinois ballot includes races for governor and the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin, along with other contests.
Leo’s voting history stretches across party lines. Records cited by Breitbart and the Sun-Times show participation in Democratic primaries in 2008 and 2010 and Republican primaries in 2012, 2014 and 2016. He also voted in the 2024 general election.
Those records reveal participation, not his candidate choices. Illinois voters do not register by party and can select a party’s primary ballot.
The Vatican presented his decision as a continuation of his civic participation, including during his years in Peru.
“The Holy Father expresses his belief in the right and the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes,” the Holy See Press Office said, according to Vatican News.
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a journalism background from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and at the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
