# Pope Leo XIV participation in US elections

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/20261101-pope-leo-xiv-participation-in-us-elections
> Updated: 2026-11-01T15:11:00.000Z. Sources: 331. Developments: 2.

Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, has become the first reigning pontiff to participate in a United States election. The Vatican confirmed that the Chicago-born Pope cast a mail-in ballot for the U.S. midterm elections.

The Vatican press office stated that the Pope exercised his right to vote as a U.S. citizen, noting his belief in the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes. While the Pope holds no political party affiliation, he is registered to vote in New Lenox, Illinois, under his baptismal name. 

Records indicate that Leo XIV has been a regular voter in several U.S. general elections since 2000, including the 2024 presidential election. Since his election to the papacy in May 2025, he has encouraged civic participation.

## Timeline

### 2026-11-01: Pope Leo XIV casts ballot in US midterm elections

Pope Leo XIV has become the first pontiff to vote in a secular election, submitting a mail-in ballot for the US midterm elections as a registered voter in Illinois.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pope-leo-xiv-casts-ballot-in-us-midterm-elections

### 2026-10-30: Pope Leo XIV becomes first pontiff to vote in US election

Pope Leo XIV has made history as the first pontiff to vote in a U.S. election, submitting a mail-in ballot for the midterm elections in his birthplace of Chicago.

329 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pope-leo-xiv-requests-mail-ballot-for-illinois-midterm-elections

---
Cite as: Pope Leo XIV participation in US elections. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/20261101-pope-leo-xiv-participation-in-us-elections