The Vatican’s Holy See Press Office, as cited by Vatican News and reported by The Western Journal, said Pope Leo XIV has voted by mail in the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, submitting his ballot to Chicago.
According to the article, the press office said the pope “has exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen, whenever he was eligible to do so,” described a “long-standing practice of civic participation,” and added, “he has submitted his mail-in ballot in Chicago.” The statement, as quoted, also notes that “during his years of residence in Peru he exercised his right to vote whenever he was eligible to do so,” and that he believes in “the right and the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes.”
Is this a first?
British papal historian Michael Walsh told CNN, “I don’t think popes have ever voted in a democratic election before,” according to the article. The Western Journal also describes Leo XIV as Chicago-born and an American citizen.
No word on choices
The Vatican did not disclose which candidates or parties received the pope’s vote, per the report.
