In first for papacy, Pope Leo XIV casts ballot in US midterm elections
- Leo XIV reportedly becomes first pope to vote in an American election, and likely first to vote in democratic, secular election
Loading…
Loading…
- Leo XIV reportedly becomes first pope to vote in an American election, and likely first to vote in democratic, secular election
By Berk Kutay Gokmen
ISTANBUL (AA) - Pope Leo XIV has cast his ballot for next week’s US midterm elections, reportedly making him the first sitting pontiff to vote in a secular, democratic election, the Vatican announced Friday.
The first American pope "has submitted his mail-in ballot in Chicago," the Vatican said in a statement.
"The Holy Father expresses his belief in the right and the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes," it added.
Michael Walsh, a British historian and papal expert, said that Leo's participation could be unprecedented.
"I don't think popes have ever voted in a democratic election before," he told CNN.
As a US citizen, Leo is registered to vote in New Lenox, a Chicago suburb where his brother, John, lives, according to voter records.
Voting early and by mail is common in US elections, depending on the local laws, as US elections are run by states, not the federal government in Washington.
Before becoming Pope Leo in May 2025, the man born Robert Francis Prevost took part in both Republican and Democratic party primaries and voted in the 2024 US presidential election, according to official records.
Since assuming the papacy, Leo has consistently encouraged civic engagement, including calling on people to speak out about the US-Israeli war with Iran.
He has also publicly clashed with the Trump administration over its handling of the conflict and its restrictive immigration policies.
Berk Kutay Gökmen