Pope Leo XIV Casts Historic Mail Ballot in US Midterms

Key points

• Vatican confirms Pope Leo XIV submitted a mail-in ballot for the US midterms, making him the first pope to vote in a US election.
• The pontiff requested the ballot from the Will County Clerk's Office on October 3, just days before undergoing lung cancer surgery.
• Leo XIV, who holds dual US and Peruvian citizenship, has voted in both Republican and Democratic primaries since 2000.
• The vote occurs as the Pope prepares for a trip to South America and amidst public disputes with President Trump over immigration and the war in Iran.
• Illinois election officials confirmed the ballot was requested under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, allowing overseas citizens to vote by mail.

Background

Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, was elected in May 2025, becoming the first US citizen to hold the Vatican's highest seat. He has clashed with the Trump administration over immigration enforcement and the US-Israel war with Iran. In April, Trump criticized the Pope for calling for peace, stating, 'I'm not a big fan of Pope Leo.' The Pope responded by emphasizing the Church's mission to preach peace. Recently, the Pope underwent surgery to remove a lower lobe of his right lung after a lung cancer diagnosis, with doctors confirming no further treatment is necessary.

How outlets are covering it

BBC, CNN, Fox News, and CBS News all confirm the historic nature of the vote, noting it is the first time a pope has voted in a US election. CNN highlights that Leo XIV is likely the first pope to vote in a secular democratic election, citing historian Michael Walsh. Fox News emphasizes the legal mechanism, noting Illinois no longer requires an excuse for mail ballots and that the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act applies. CBS News details his voting history, noting he voted in five primary elections since 2000, including both Democratic and Republican ballots. All outlets note the tension with the Trump administration, with BBC and CNN highlighting the Pope's clashes over immigration and the war in Iran.

Why it matters

The vote underscores the Pope's commitment to civic participation as a US citizen, despite his role as a head of state. It also highlights the ongoing tensions between the Vatican and the Trump administration, as the Pope has been a vocal critic of US policies on immigration and the war in Iran. The vote may influence public perception of the Pope's political stance and the Catholic Church's role in US politics.

What to watch

The US midterm elections will be held on November 3, with early voting already underway in most states. The Pope is expected to travel to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru in early November. The outcome of the midterms will determine which political party controls Congress, with significant implications for the final years of Trump's presidency.