Pope Leo XIV Makes History as the 1st Pope to Vote in an American Election!

Pope Leo XIV Casts Mail-In Ballot in U.S. Midterm Elections

Vatican News — Pope Leo XIV, an American citizen, has submitted his mail-in ballot for the upcoming U.S. midterm elections, the Holy See Press Office confirmed on Friday.

According to the statement, the Holy Father voted via mail-in ballot in Chicago, continuing a long-standing personal practice of civic engagement. The Vatican noted that Pope Leo XIV consistently exercised his voting rights while living in Peru and believes strongly in "the right and the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes."

As a U.S. citizen living abroad, the Pope is eligible to cast an absentee ballot in federal elections. The U.S. midterms take place on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and will determine all 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35 Senate seats, and 36 state governorships, alongside numerous local offices.