Politics
Pope Leo XIV Casts Mail Ballot in United States Midterm Elections
The historic vote by the American pontiff highlights rising political tensions as the nation approaches high-stakes legislative contests.
By Headlinne · Compiled from reporting by NBC, Vatican, BBC and 1 other
Pope Leo XIV voted in the United States midterm elections by submitting a mail-in ballot from Vatican City, becoming the first pontiff to participate in an American election.
The Holy See Press Office confirmed on Friday that the pope exercised his right as a citizen, while local officials noted the ballot request originated from Illinois.
The midterm elections will determine control of the United States Congress and shape the remainder of President Donald Trump's term.
"Pope Leo XIV has exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen, whenever he was eligible to do so," said the Holy See Press Office in a statement.
The Vatican added that the pontiff also maintained a practice of voting while residing in Peru prior to his election.
Kim Fladhammer, chief of staff for the Will County Clerk's Office, confirmed that the ballot was requested on October 3.
Clashes between the pontiff and the Trump administration have escalated over foreign policy disagreements concerning Iran and immigration.
Trump criticized the pope publicly earlier in the year following papal calls for peace regarding military actions.
"I’m not a big fan of Pope Leo," said Trump in response to the Vatican's diplomatic positions.
The Chicago Sun-Times first reported the ballot request, according to NBC News.
Vatican News reported that the ballot was submitted in Chicago, whereas NBC News reported the paperwork passed through the Will County Clerk's Office.
The pontiff underwent surgery this month to remove a lower lobe of his right lung after a diagnosis of lung cancer.
Vatican officials confirmed that the pope still plans to travel to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru in early November.
Voters across the United States will cast ballots on November 3 to decide all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 Senate seats.
Election officials have not yet confirmed the receipt of the completed ballot at the local clerk's office in Illinois.
Reporting from
- NBC News
Pope Leo requested an absentee ballot in Illinois to vote in the midterms - NBC News
- Vatican NewsBalanced
Pope Leo XIV votes in US midterm elections via mail
- BBC NewsBalanced
Pope Leo XIV becomes first pontiff to vote in a US election
- The Hindu
How can Pope Leo vote in U.S. elections while serving as the sovereign of Vatican City? | Explained
How this article was made: Headlinne wrote it with AI from the 4 reports listed above. Direct quotes are checked word for word against those reports, every number appears in at least one of them, and no other sentence is copied from one. Photos are from those reports and credited to them. Each report’s page on Headlinne links to the outlet’s original.