Pope Leo makes history in US election with move confirmed by Vatican
Pope Leo XIV has cast a mail-in ballot in an Illinois election, making him the first pope known to have voted in a US election. The Vatican said he voted as a US citizen and described participation in democratic processes as both a right and a duty.
Born Robert Francis Prevost, Leo requested a ballot on 3 October, according to the Will County clerk’s office. Illinois allows any registered voter to vote by mail; the ballot includes a contest for governor, with incumbent J.B. Pritzker seeking a third term against Republican Darren Bailey and independent Collin Corbett. The Vatican also said Leo voted when eligible while living in Peru.
In short
- Pope Leo XIV voted by mail in Illinois.
- He is the first pope to vote in a US election.
- Illinois permits all registered voters to vote by mail.
Explained simply
Pope Leo XIV was born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago and is a US citizen. Before becoming pope, he spent many years in Peru, where he also voted when eligible, the Vatican said.
In the United States, elections are run by state and local authorities, and Illinois lets registered voters cast ballots by post. The state elects its governor, who leads the state government; J.B. Pritzker, Darren Bailey and Collin Corbett are among the candidates in this contest.
The pope leads the Roman Catholic Church, but his vote was cast as a citizen, rather than in a church role. The episode connects his personal civic participation with a wider question about how people take part in democratic elections.
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