Pope Leo XIV Votes in U.S. Election

Pope Leo XIV, the first pope born in the United States, has made history by participating in a U.S. election. Born Robert Francis Prevost, he submitted a mail-in ballot in Illinois, as confirmed by the Holy See Press Office on Friday.

“Pope Leo XIV exercised his right to vote as a U.S. citizen whenever he was eligible,” the office stated. “In accordance with a longstanding tradition of civic engagement, he sent his mail-in ballot from Chicago.”

Additionally, the press office noted that during his time in Peru, the Holy Father also voted whenever he could. He believes it is both a right and a responsibility for citizens to engage in democratic processes.

The Will County Clerk’s office informed the Chicago Sun-Times that Leo requested his mail-in ballot on October 3, and the Vatican confirmed he has already submitted it.

Kim Fladhammer, from the Will County clerk’s office, mentioned, “Robert Francis Prevost is on the list of individuals who have requested a mail-in ballot for the upcoming election.”

The Illinois ballot includes a gubernatorial race, where incumbent Democrat J.B. Pritzker is running for a third term against Republican Darren Bailey and independent candidate Collin Corbett.

The Will County clerk’s office and Pritzker’s campaign did not respond immediately to inquiries.

According to an Illinois State Board of Elections representative, voting by mail is accessible to all registered voters in the state. This change has been in effect since 2010, when the concept of absentee ballots was altered significantly.

The Vatican had earlier disclosed that on October 13, Leo underwent surgery in Rome to remove a tumor from his right lung. Doctors later confirmed that no additional cancer treatment would be needed after the successful procedure.