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Pope Leo XIV casts mail-in ballot in US midterm elections
Pope Leo XIV has become the first pontiff in recorded history to participate in a secular election, casting a mail-in ballot for the upcoming United States midterm elections. The Vatican confirmed on Friday that the Pope, born Robert Francis Prevost, submitted his vote to Chicago, Illinois, where he remains a registered voter.
The Holy See stated that the Pope exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen, noting his belief in the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes. Prevost, who maintains a residence in Will County, has a history of civic participation, having voted in several general and primary elections since 2000.
This unprecedented move has sparked debate regarding the neutrality of the papacy and the intersection of religious leadership with national politics. The vote occurs amid documented policy disagreements between the Pope and President Donald Trump, particularly concerning immigration and international conflicts.
Entities
Chicago · Donald Trump · Holy See · Holy See Press Office · Illinois · JD Vance · Pope Leo XIV · Robert Francis Prevost · United States · Vatican · Vatican City · Will County
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 4 SOURCES] The Pope was born in Chicago and grew up in suburban Dolton. www.nbcnews.com
- [● 8 SOURCES] The Will County Clerk’s Office has not yet received a completed ballot from the Pope. www.nbcnews.com
- [● 58 SOURCES] Pope Leo XIV requested a mail-in ballot for the Illinois midterm elections. www.nbcnews.com · www.durangoherald.com · rtsh.al · www.lanacion.com.ar · chicago.suntimes.com · +27 more
- [● 47 SOURCES] The ballot request was made on October 3. www.nbcnews.com · www.durangoherald.com · chicago.suntimes.com · rtsh.al · fortune.com · +19 more
- [● 16 SOURCES] Pope Leo XIV was elected in May 2025. www.nbcnews.com · www.lanacion.com.ar · fortune.com · jurnas.com · eldiarionica.com
- [● 37 SOURCES] The Pope has voted in the 2012, 2014, 2018, and 2024 general elections. www.nbcnews.com · chicago.suntimes.com · fortune.com · dominicanaaldia.com · www.durangoherald.com · +15 more
- [● 41 SOURCES] Pope Leo XIV is a registered voter in Will County, Illinois. www.nbcnews.com · www.durangoherald.com · chicago.suntimes.com · fortune.com · dominicanaaldia.com · +20 more
- [● 43 SOURCES] Leo would be the first reigning pope to vote in a U.S. election. www.nbcnews.com · www.durangoherald.com · www.lanacion.com.ar · dominicanaaldia.com · chicago.suntimes.com · +21 more
- [● 43 SOURCES] The Pope submitted a mail-in ballot in Chicago. www.durangoherald.com · chicago.suntimes.com · www.cagliarilivemagazine.it · dominicanaaldia.com · rtsh.al · +27 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] The Pope underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his right lung. www.durangoherald.com · www.nbcnews.com · eldiarionica.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Robert Prevost has voted in five primary elections since 2000.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Pope requested a mail-in ballot on October 3. www.durangoherald.com