Pope Leo XIV becomes first pontiff to vote in a US election

Pope Leo XIV has submitted a mail-in ballot in Illinois’ midterm elections, becoming the first-ever pope to vote in a United States election.

A first for the papacy

The vote marks an unprecedented connection between the papacy and the U.S. electoral process. While the ballot was submitted by mail, the vote took place in Illinois during the state’s midterm elections.

The event is notable because no previous pope had voted in a U.S. election. Leo XIV’s participation therefore creates a historic milestone involving both the Catholic Church’s leadership and American elections.

Illinois ballot

The ballot was submitted in Illinois, the state identified with the pope’s vote. The available information does not specify the election issues or candidates involved.

For now, the central significance of the development is its place in papal history: Pope Leo XIV is the first pontiff recorded as voting in a U.S. election.