Pope Leo XIV has made history by submitting a mail-in ballot for the US midterms, marking the first time a pope has voted in a secular democratic election. According to the Vatican, the Pope expressed his belief in the right and duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes. This historic move has garnered significant attention, with many questioning the Pope's eligibility to vote in US elections.
The Pope is registered to vote in the Chicago suburb of New Lenox, where his brother John lives, under his baptismal name, Robert Francis Prevost. Records show that he has cast ballots in both Republican and Democratic primaries in recent years, as well as in the 2024 presidential election. This has sparked interest in the Pope's voting history and his level of engagement with US politics.
As the first American pope, Leo XIV has been vocal about encouraging civic involvement, urging people to make their voices heard on issues such as the US-Israel war against Iran. His views on this matter have put him at odds with President Donald Trump's administration, which has led to public clashes between the two. The Pope's ballot is expected to include votes for the senate and governor race in Illinois, among other elections.
The Pope's interest in Illinois politics is not new. In 2011, when he was Rev. Robert Prevost, he personally messaged then-Governor of Illinois Pat Quinn to thank him for abolishing capital punishment in Illinois, Prevost's home state. He has also met with JB Pritzker, a candidate for Illinois governor, in the Vatican, discussing immigration enforcement.
Despite being the head of state, the Pope remains a US citizen and is permitted to vote in US elections. This has raised questions about the extent of his civic engagement and whether other religious leaders will follow his example. The Will County Clerk's office has confirmed that Robert Francis Prevost requested a vote-by-mail ballot for the upcoming election.
The Pope's brother, John, was in the Vatican on Wednesday with a group of pilgrims from St Jude's Parish, New Lenox, for a meeting with the Pope. It is unclear if the Pope sent his ballot by mail from the Vatican. The Vatican statement on Wednesday confirmed that the Pope had submitted his mail-in ballot in Chicago.
Michael Walsh, a British historian and author, noted that the Pope would be the first to vote in a democratic, secular election. The Pope's actions have sparked a wider conversation about the role of religious leaders in civic engagement and the intersection of faith and politics.
Key points
- Pope Leo XIV is the first pope to vote in a secular democratic election.
- The Pope is registered to vote in the Chicago suburb of New Lenox under his baptismal name, Robert Francis Prevost.
- The Pope's ballot includes votes for the senate and governor race in Illinois, among other elections.
