Pope Leo XIV Casts Mail-In Ballot in Illinois Midterm Election
Pope Leo XIV, a US citizen, has become the first pope in history to vote in a US general election by casting a mail-in ballot for the Illinois midterm elections.
Philadelphia, PA, October 30, 2026 —
Pope Leo XIV, who holds US citizenship, has made history by becoming the first pontiff to cast a vote in a United States general election. The current Pope participated in the Illinois midterm elections by submitting a mail-in ballot.
The specific details regarding the timing of the ballot submission or the exact location from which it was cast were not immediately available. This marks a significant moment, as it is the first recorded instance of a sitting Pope voting in a U.S. election.
Pope Leo XIV’s action highlights the intersection of religious leadership and civic engagement for individuals who maintain citizenship in countries where they do not reside. The trend summary provided did not include information on any specific candidates or issues Pope Leo XIV may have voted on, nor did it detail the process his mail-in ballot followed.
Further information, such as the Pope’s prior voting history in the United States or any specific statements made regarding his decision to vote, was not detailed in the provided summary.
Story summarized from the original created by NICOLE WINFIELD on www.inquirer.com, see more information here.
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