Pope Leo became the first pope ever to vote in a U.S. election, with the American-born religious leader casting his mail-in ballot in Illinois for the November 3 midterms.
Multiple media outlets, including Fox News, have confirmed that the supreme pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, a Chicago native, has made history with the vote, the first in the church’s 2,000-year history.
BREAKING: Pope Leo XIV makes history as the first pope ever to vote in a U.S. election.
The Vatican confirms the first American-born pope, Robert Francis Prevost, has submitted a mail-in ballot in his home state of Illinois ahead of the November midterms, exercising his right to vote as a U.S. citizen.
The Chicago-born pontiff continues to maintain his American citizenship while leading the Catholic Church. | @marthamaccallum @AmericaNewsroom
— Fox News (@FoxNews) October 30, 2026
“Pope Leo XIV has exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen, whenever he was eligible to do so,” the Holy See Press Office said in a statement. “The Holy See Press Office confirms that in keeping with this long-standing practice of civic participation, he has submitted his mail-in ballot in Chicago.”
“The Holy Father has also confirmed that, during his years of residence in Peru he exercised his right to vote whenever he was eligible to do so,” the press office said. “The Holy Father expresses his belief in the right and the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes.”
“Robert Francis Prevost is on the list of individuals who requested a vote by mail ballot for the upcoming election,” Will County, Illinois clerk’s office chief of staff Kim Fladhammer told the Chicago Sun-Times.
While it’s unknown who Pope Leo, whose name is Robert Francis Prevost, voted for, he has a history of expressing leftist sentiment on a number of issues, including opposition to the war in Iran.
As could be expected, the news that Pope Leo was casting his ballot had X users sharing their takes.
I simply cannot fathom how a devout Catholic could ever vote for the party of abortion, Islam and cutting kid’s penises off.
— Ben Kew (@ben_kew) October 30, 2026
He should remain neutral the church shouldn’t get involved in politics
— Btcjohnny21 (@btcjohnny211) October 30, 2026
This is wrong
The pope should be above party politics
I bet Robert Prevost didn’t vote for the Republican candidates
— Deacon Nick Donnelly (@ProtecttheFaith) October 30, 2026
I’m Catholic. I’m a Marine. And I’m a red blooded American.. but when you suspect your Pope is voting against everything that you fight for, something is very wrong in the world
— Tim Chafin (@BadassAmerica69) October 30, 2026
Well, The Pope has been carrying water for Satan so we can only guess who we voted for.
— American Sincerist (@FirstAllan2) October 30, 2026
“There is no such thing as an absentee ballot in Illinois law anymore. So anyone can vote by mail if they so choose. There is also a law called UOCAVA, The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act that is mostly for the military, but it’s also for U.S. citizens who are overseas,” Matt Dietrich, the Illinois State Board of Elections spokesman, told the Chicago Sun-Times. “… Any Illinois registered voter can vote by mail.”
- Trump says he was ‘only kidding’ about tapping UFC boss Dana White as new top spox - November 9, 2026
- El-Sayed called for getting money out of politics, now he’s launching a super PAC - November 9, 2026
- Houston mayor restricts ICE cooperation to ‘begin a healing process’ - November 7, 2026
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.