Leo XIV votes by mail in U.S. midterm elections

Pope Leo XIV voted by mail in the U.S. midterm elections, participation confirmed by the Vatican press office. The elections are scheduled for November 3. The pontiff's ballot has been described as the first known and confirmed instance of a pope voting in an election, making it unprecedented in Catholic Church history.

The Vatican office said Robert Prevost exercised his right to vote as a U.S. citizen. It also said the pope supports citizens' right and duty to participate in democratic processes. The explanation connects his ballot with that position on electoral participation without presenting it as an endorsement of a candidate or party.

Leo XIV was born in Chicago and is registered to vote in Illinois. His registered address is at his brother's home in New Lenox, explaining his electoral link with the state. The ballot was cast by mail, although confirmed information did not say when it was sent or provide other procedural details.

The Vatican also said Prevost had voted in Peruvian elections, in a country where he gained citizenship after living there for 20 years as a missionary and bishop of Chiclayo. That background shows his electoral participation is not limited to the United States and that his personal history includes ties to both countries.

Confirmation of the U.S. vote highlights the citizenship of the pontiff, who was born in the country before his religious career in Peru and election as pope. The mail ballot concerns legislative midterm elections, not a presidential contest. The general-election date is November 3, and Vatican information presents Leo XIV's participation as an exercise of civic rights.