Pope Leo XIV has made history by becoming the first pontiff to participate in a United States election. The Vatican confirmed on Friday that the American-born pope cast a mail-in ballot in his native Illinois ahead of the upcoming midterm elections, an act the Holy See described as a reflection of his long-standing belief in the importance of civic participation.
The Chicago Sun-Times, which first reported the news, quoted the chief of staff at the Will County Clerk's Office as stating that the pope requested his mail-in ballot on Oct. 3. This request occurred just days before he underwent surgery for lung cancer. Following his release from the hospital on Oct. 17, the pope has been recovering and resuming his duties at the Vatican, while continuing to move forward with plans for a trip to South America next month.
The Vatican confirmed that the pope has a long history of civic engagement. During his nearly two decades serving as a missionary and then a bishop in Peru, he voted whenever he was eligible. He currently holds both U.S. and Peruvian citizenship. Records from the Illinois State Board of Elections show that the pope, registered as Robert Prevost, was previously registered in Cook County. The Associated Press reported that he voted in five primary elections since 2000—participating in Democratic ballots in 2008 and 2019, and Republican ballots in 2012, 2014, and 2016. Furthermore, he submitted ballots in every general election since 2000, with the exception of 2020 and 2022. While Illinois requires voters to declare a party preference for closed primaries, no such declaration is necessary for general elections. Last month, the pope told a general audience at the Vatican that the faithful should leave behind all passivity and indifference toward current events.
"The Holy Father expresses his belief in the right and the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes," the Vatican said in a statement.
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Md. Kazi Bijoy is a dedicated tech enthusiast and content creator with a passion for digital innovation. With years of experience in the tech industry, he specializes in breaking down complex topics into easy-to-understand guides. When he isn’t writing, he explores the latest gadgets and researches emerging trends in the digital world.