Pope Leo XIV Casts First Papal Vote in U.S. Midterms Amid Ongoing Tensions with White House
Pope Leo XIV has become the first pontiff to vote in a U.S. general election, submitting a mail-in ballot for the November 3 midterms. The Vatican confirmed the Chicago-born leader exercised his civic duty as a U.S. citizen, a move that underscores his belief in democratic participation despite ongoing public disputes with President Donald Trump. Leo, who holds dual citizenship and serves as head of state for the Holy See, has voted in previous cycles, including both Republican and Democratic primaries. His participation occurs shortly after his recovery from lung cancer surgery and amidst a cooling of relations between the Vatican and the White House, with the Holy See citing a lack of necessity for direct high-level contact with the U.S. administration.
Key points
- The Vatican confirmed Pope Leo XIV submitted a mail-in ballot for the November 3 U.S. midterm elections, making him the first pope to vote in a general election.
- Leo, formerly Robert Prevost, holds U.S. and Peruvian citizenship and has voted in five primary elections since 2000, requesting both Democratic and Republican ballots depending on his residence.
- The vote was requested on October 3, just 10 days before Leo underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his right lung, with the ballot returned shortly after his hospital release on October 17.
- Illinois voters are deciding on the governorship and an open Senate seat, while Trump campaigns to preserve Republican control of Congress for his final two years in office.
- The Vatican stated Leo has voted whenever eligible, including during his time in Peru, emphasizing the 'right and duty' of citizens to participate in democratic processes.
Background
Pope Leo XIV has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration, particularly regarding immigration policies and the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran, leading to a public dispute earlier this year where Trump called the pope 'weak.' Although the public feud has subsided, the two leaders have not spoken by phone since Leo's election in May 2025. The Vatican has maintained that it does not need direct high-level contact, relying instead on the U.S. ambassador to the Holy See. Leo has also recently intervened in U.S. political debates, including criticizing the death penalty and expressing disappointment over Illinois's medically assisted dying law.
Why it matters
This event marks a historic precedent for the Vatican's engagement with U.S. domestic politics, reinforcing the pope's stance that civic participation is a moral duty. It highlights the complex relationship between the Holy See and the U.S. government, where diplomatic channels remain functional despite public ideological clashes. The vote also underscores the legal protections for U.S. citizens abroad, even those serving as foreign heads of state, to participate in elections without automatically forfeiting citizenship.
What to watch
The U.S. midterm elections will take place on November 3, with results potentially impacting the balance of power in Congress for the final two years of Trump's second term. The Vatican will likely continue to monitor U.S. policy on immigration and global conflicts, while maintaining its current diplomatic posture of avoiding direct high-level confrontation with the White House. Leo is expected to resume full papal duties following his recent recovery from lung cancer surgery.
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