MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Leo XIV becomes the first pope to vote in a US election

The Chicago-born pope voted “as a citizen” and as he has done “whenever he has had the opportunity”, according to a statement from the Holy See press office

Pope Leo XIV has voted by mail in the US midterm elections to be held on November 3, making him the first pontiff to take part in an election in that country, the Vatican said on Friday.

The Chicago-born pope voted “as a citizen” and as he has done “whenever he has had the opportunity”, according to a statement from the Holy See press office. “In keeping with this well-established practice of civic participation, he sent his ballot by mail to Chicago,” the statement said, without indicating whom he voted for.

Robert Francis Prevost, as he was known before his election as pope in May 2025, spent almost two decades in Peru as a missionary and later as a bishop, and holds US and Peruvian citizenship. “The Holy Father also confirmed that during his years of residence in Peru he exercised his right to vote whenever he met the requirements to do so,” the Vatican said.

Leo XIV, 71, is recovering from lung cancer surgery on October 13. He is due to begin a tour of Uruguay, Argentina and Peru on November 6, running until November 17.