# Pope Leo makes history in US election with move confirmed by Vatican

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/pope-leo-makes-history-in-us-election-with-move-confirmed-by-vatican/
- Published: 2026-10-30T14:45:17+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-30T16:05:23+00:00
- Original publisher: Fox News (publisher lean: Far right)
- Original article: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/pope-leo-makes-history-us-election-move-confirmed-vatican
- Topics: Americas, Elections, Politics, World

## Key points

- 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.

## Summary

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.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.