Pope Leo XIV has submitted a mail-in ballot in Illinois for the US midterm elections, becoming the first pope ever to vote in an American election. The Holy See Press Office said the Pope 'expresses his belief in the right and the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes.'
The Chicago-born pontiff, selected in May 2025 as the first US citizen to hold the Vatican's highest seat, has clashed with the Trump administration over immigration enforcement and the US-Israeli war with Iran. The Holy See Press Office said the Pope 'has exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen, whenever he was eligible to do so,' including during his years in Peru. According to NBC News, the Pope requested his mail-in ballot from the Will County Clerk's Office on 3 October. Less than two weeks later, the Vatican announced he had surgery to remove a lower lobe of his right lung after being diagnosed with lung cancer. The Vatican confirmed last week that Pope Leo, aged 71, will travel as planned to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru in early November.
Tensions between the Pope and President Trump escalated in April after the Pope called for peace following US-Israeli strikes on Iran. Trump said, 'I don't think he's doing a very good job... We don't like a Pope that's going to say that it's OK to have a nuclear weapon. I'm not a big fan of Pope Leo.' The Pope responded, 'The mission of the Church is to preach the Gospel, to preach peace. If someone wants to criticise me for preaching the Gospel... I hope simply to be listened to because of the value of God's words.'
The midterm elections, to be held on 3 November, will determine control of Congress. Polls suggest Democrats are favourites to gain control of the House of Representatives and are poised to win seats in Republican-leaning areas. President Trump has held several rallies in states where Republican victories are typically all but guaranteed.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The Pope's vote emphasises the significance of the midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress and shape the final years of Trump's presidency.
- It highlights the Pope's role as a US citizen and head of the Catholic Church, potentially influencing Catholic voters and adding a religious perspective to political discourse.
- The Pope's health and his upcoming travels to Latin America add uncertainty to his ability to fully engage in ongoing political tensions.
Background
Pope Leo XIV, born in Chicago, was elected in May 2025 as the first US citizen to become pope. He has frequently clashed with the Trump administration, particularly over immigration enforcement and the US-Israel war with Iran. In April, he called for peace after US-Israeli strikes on Iran, drawing sharp criticism from Trump. The Pope underwent lung cancer surgery in October but is still set to travel to South America in November.
Key Perspectives
Holy See Press Office: The Pope believes in the right and duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes.
President Donald Trump: Criticised the Pope for his peace call, saying he's not doing a good job and that he is not a fan of Pope Leo.
Pope Leo XIV: The mission of the Church is to preach the Gospel and peace, and he hopes to be listened to because of the value of God's words.
What to Watch
- The outcome of the midterm elections on 3 November and how it might affect relations between the Vatican and the White House.
- Whether the Pope's health will impact his planned travels to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru.
- Further exchanges between Trump and the Pope as the final years of Trump's presidency approach.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
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- SupportedPope Leo XIV cast the first papal ballot in a US midterm election.BBC News: “Pope Leo XIV has submitted his mail-in ballot in Illinois, for the midterm elections, becoming the first-ever pope to vote in a US election.”
- SupportedThe Chicago-born pontiff voted by mail in Illinois amid tensions with Trump.BBC News: “Pope Leo XIV has submitted his mail-in ballot in Illinois, for the midterm elections... Since then, he has clashed with the Trump administration over various issues”
- SupportedLeo submitted a mail-in ballot for the US midterms, becoming the first pope ever to vote in an American election.BBC News: “Pope Leo XIV has submitted his mail-in ballot in Illinois, for the midterm elections, becoming the first-ever pope to vote in a US election.”
- SupportedThe Holy See Press Office said the Pope expresses his belief in citizens’ right and duty to participate in democratic processes.BBC News: “"The Holy Father expresses his belief in the right and the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes," the Holy See Press Office said in a statement.”
- SupportedLeo was selected in May 2025 as the first US citizen to hold the Vatican’s highest seat.BBC News: “The Chicago-born pontiff is the first US citizen to hold the Vatican's highest seat, after his selection in May 2025.”
- SupportedLeo clashed with the Trump administration over immigration enforcement and the US-Israel war with Iran.BBC News: “Since then, he has clashed with the Trump administration over various issues, including immigration enforcement and the US-Israel war with Iran.”
- SupportedThe Holy See Press Office said Leo had exercised his right to vote as a US citizen whenever eligible, including during his years in Peru.BBC News: “"Pope Leo XIV has exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen, whenever he was eligible to do so," the press office said, including during his years in Peru.”
- SupportedAccording to NBC News, Leo requested his mail-in ballot from the Will County Clerk’s Office on 3 October.BBC News: “According to NBC News, the Pope requested his mail-in ballot from the Will County Clerk's Office on 3 October.”
- SupportedLess than two weeks after the ballot request, the Vatican announced Leo had surgery to remove a lower lobe of his right lung after a lung cancer diagnosis.BBC News: “Less than two weeks later, the Vatican announced he had surgery to remove a lower lobe of his right lung after he was diagnosed with lung cancer.”
- SupportedTensions escalated in April after Leo called for peace following US-Israeli strikes on Iran.BBC News: “Tensions escalated between the Pope and the US president in April, after the Pope called for peace in the wake of US-Israeli strikes on Iran.”
- SupportedTrump said, “I don't think he's doing a very good job... We don't like a Pope that's going to say that it's OK to have a nuclear weapon. I'm not a big fan of Pope Leo.”BBC News: “"I don't think he's doing a very good job," Trump said about the Pope afterwards. "We don't like a Pope that's going to say that it's OK to have a nuclear weapon," he continued. "I'm not a big fan of Pope Leo."”
- SupportedLeo responded that the Church’s mission is to preach the Gospel and peace, and that he hoped to be heard for the value of God’s words.BBC News: “Pope Leo followed with his own remarks later, saying: "The mission of the Church is to preach the Gospel, to preach peace," according to Reuters. "If someone wants to criticise me for preaching the Gospel... I hope simply to be listened to because of the value of God's words."”