Pope Leo XIV Casts First Papal Vote in U.S. Midterm

Pope Leo XIV has become the first pope to vote in a United States election, submitting a mail-in ballot for the midterm contests in Illinois.

The Holy See Press Office stated that the pontiff believes in the right and duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes. The office clarified that Leo exercised his voting rights as a U.S. citizen whenever eligible, including during his years in Peru.

Leo, 71, was selected as the first U.S. citizen to hold the Vatican's highest seat in May 2025. Since taking office, he has clashed with the Trump administration on issues ranging from immigration enforcement to the U.S.-Israel war with Iran.

According to NBC News, the Pope requested his ballot from the Will County Clerk's Office on October 3. Less than two weeks after that request, the Vatican announced he had surgery to remove a lower lobe of his right lung following a lung cancer diagnosis.

Tensions between the two leaders escalated in April after Leo called for peace following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran. Trump responded by saying, "I don't think he's doing a very good job." He added, "We don't like a Pope that's going to say that it's OK to have a nuclear weapon," and declared himself not a big fan of the pontiff.

Leo responded later that the Church's mission is to preach the Gospel and peace. He said, "If someone wants to criticise me for preaching the Gospel.. I hope simply to be listened to because of the value of God's words," according to Reuters.

The Vatican confirmed last week that Leo will travel to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru in early November as planned. Nationwide elections are set for November 3, though early voting has already begun in most states. Polls indicate Democrats are favorites to control the House of Representatives and may win additional Senate seats, prompting the president to hold rallies in traditionally Republican states.