Bolatito Mercy
Pope Leo XIV has made history by casting his vote in the United States midterm elections through a mail-in ballot submitted in Chicago, the Vatican has confirmed.
The development marks the first known instance of a sitting pope participating in a political election.
According to a statement released by the Vatican on Friday, the Chicago-born pontiff exercised his voting rights as a US citizen, reflecting his belief in the importance of civic participation and democratic processes.
The Vatican noted that the Pope considers voting both a right and a civic responsibility, adding that he has consistently participated in elections whenever he was eligible.
“The Holy Father believes in the right and duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes,” the statement said.
It further confirmed that Pope Leo XIV had maintained the practice of voting even during his years in Peru, where he spent nearly two decades serving as a missionary and later as a bishop.
Before his election as pontiff, Leo XIV was known as Robert Francis Prevost. He holds both American and Peruvian citizenship.
His participation in the US electoral process comes months after a public disagreement with President Donald Trump over several policy issues, including the administration’s immigration crackdown and the war involving Iran.
The exchanges attracted international attention, with Trump criticising the Pope’s positions on crime and foreign policy. In response, Leo maintained that he was not afraid of the US president.
The 2026 US midterm elections are scheduled for November 3, with voters expected to elect members of Congress and decide several important state and local political contests.
The Vatican’s confirmation of the Pope’s participation has drawn attention to the unusual intersection of his religious position and his constitutional rights as an American citizen.
