Leo XIV made history by being the first Pope to vote in a United States election

Pope Leo XIV became the first pontiff in history to participate in a United States election. The Vatican confirmed this Friday that the Supreme Pontiff cast his vote by mail in Chicago, Illinois, ahead of the mid-term legislative elections.

The electoral participation of the first Pope born in the United States represents an unprecedented event for the Catholic Church. Although he has lived outside the United States for several decades, Leo XIV retains the citizenship of that country, as well as having Peruvian nationality.

How Pope Leo XIV voted in the United States

According to the Holy See, the pontiff presented his vote by mail in Chicago, the city where he was born. The Vatican explained that this is a practice that Leo XIV maintained since before his election as head of the Catholic Church.

“He has exercised his right to vote as a US citizen whenever he has met the conditions to do so,” the statement reads.

In short, the Holy See also stated that the Pope participated in electoral processes during his residence in Peru. “During his years of residence in Peru he exercised his right to vote whenever he met the conditions to do so,” the Vatican said.

In this way, Leo XIV maintained his civic participation even after assuming the Pontificate.

What the Vatican said about Leo XIV’s decision

The statement highlighted the importance that the Supreme Pontiff attributes to citizen participation. “The Holy Father expresses his conviction about the right and duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes,” said the Holy See.

The decision constitutes a historical precedent, since no Pope had previously participated in American elections.

The American citizenship of Pope Leo XIV

Leo XIV is the first pontiff born in the United States and retains both American and Peruvian citizenship. His election as Pope raised questions about his legal status, especially the obligations he could maintain as an American citizen while serving as head of state.

In 2025, the US House of Representatives received a bill aimed at protecting citizenship and granting a tax exemption to any American elected as Supreme Pontiff. However, the initiative was paralyzed in a legislative committee.

In addition to spiritually leading the Catholic Church, Leo XIV serves as head of state of the Holy See, a sovereign entity recognized by international law.