Pope Leo XIV has become the first pope in history to vote in a U.S. general election

VATICAN CITY (AP)– Pope Leo XIV has actually ended up being the very first pope to enact a U.S. basic election, casting a mail-in tally in a contest that will choose America’s future as the Trump period gradually concerns an end.

The Vatican validated Friday that the Chicago-born pontiff had actually sent a mail-in tally in Chicago ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections, mentioning his enduring belief in civic involvement.

Leo, previously Robert Prevost, “has actually exercised his right to vote as a United States resident” and has actually done so “whenever he was qualified to do so,” the Holy See press workplace stated.

The declaration stated he had actually likewise voted while residing in Peru whenever he was qualified. Leo resided in Peru as a missionary priest and bishop for over 20 years.

“The Holy Father reveals his belief in the right and the responsibility of people to take part in democratic procedures,” it included.

Leo holds U.S. and Peruvian citizenship, and is likewise the president of a foreign nation, the Holy See. The city state is an outright monarchy without any political elections.

This election, Illinois citizens are choosing whether to choose Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker to his 3rd term, and they’re likewise filling an open U.S. Senate seat after long time Catholic Democrat Dick Durbin’s retirement. President Donald Trump is not on the tally however he has actually campaigned tough to attempt to maintain Republican control of the U.S. House and Senate for the last 2 years of his 2nd term.

Leo’s vote was initially reported by the Chicago Sun-Timeswhich estimated the chief of personnel at the Will County clerk’s workplace as stating the pope, signed up at a New Lenox address, asked for a mail-in tally on Oct. 3.

The demand was made simply 10 days before Leo went through surgical treatment to eliminate a malignant growth from his best lung. Leo has actually been gradually resuming his activities at the Vatican after being launched from the health center Oct. 17.

It is uncertain how Leo returned the tally. The pope’s older bro, John Prevost, remained in Rome today accompanying parishioners from St. Jude’s, an Augustinian-run parish in New Lenox, Illinois. The senior Prevost goes to Mass there, and Leo lectured at the parish in 2024 while still a cardinal.

Prevost’s previous votes have actually gone Democratic and Republican

Considering that 2000, Robert Prevost has actually enacted 5 main elections, asking for Democratic tallies two times and Republican tallies 3 times, according to records held by the Illinois State Board of Elections.

The records do disappoint which prospects he supported. Illinois citizens should state a celebration choice to get a main tally. No such statement is needed in basic elections.

While signed up in greatly Democratic Cook County, Prevost asked for Democratic main tallies in 2008 and 2010. After transferring to the more conservative rural Will County, he asked for Republican main tallies in 2012, 2014 and 2016.

The records likewise reveal that he sent tallies in every basic election considering that 2000 other than those in 2020 and 2022.

Clashes with Trump

Because ending up being pope, Leo has actually drawn criticism from President Donald Trump for consistently condemning the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran and requiring dignified treatment of immigrants.

Previously this year, Trump called Leo “weak” and captive to the “extreme left.”

Reacting to Trump’s public rebuke, Leo informed press reporters en path to Algeria in April: “I’m not scared of the Trump administration or of speaking up loudly about the message of the Gospel, which is what the church works for.”

“I will continue to speak up highly versus war, looking for to promote peace, promoting discussion and multilateralism amongst states to discover services to issues,” he stated.

The general public disagreement has actually decreased in current months.

A pope who follows U.S. politics carefully

Leo has actually explained on a number of events that he follows regional and nationwide U.S. politics carefully, and is not scared to step in.

He has actually consistently required reflection and humane treatment for immigrants in his native U.S. in the middle of the Trump administration crackdown and mass deportation program.

Just recently, Leo restated main church mentor stating the death sentence “inadmissible.” He made the declaration in a social networks post on the World Day Against the Death Penalty, which came as the U.S. revealed strategies to livestream an execution by shooting team. The strategies were later on ditched.

In 2025, Leo intervened in a dispute over abortion, after Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich revealed strategies to provide a life time accomplishment award to Sen. Durbin. The strategies drew objection from some conservative U.S. bishops provided the effective Democratic senator’s assistance for abortion rights. Leo required regard for both sides, however he likewise explained the contradiction in between individuals who call themselves “pro-life” however likewise support the death sentence.

In 2025, Leo stated he was “extremely dissatisfied” that his home state of Illinois authorized a law enabling clinically helped passing away, which is condemned by the Catholic Church.

AP editor Holly Meyer contributed from Nashville, Tenn.