Pope Leo XIV casts first US midterm vote, first pontiff to vote in US election
Pope Leo XIV submitted a mail‑in ballot in Illinois, becoming the first pontiff ever to vote in a US election amid heated political tensions with the Trump administration.
At a glance
- Pope Leo XIV submitted a mail‑in ballot in Illinois, becoming the first pontiff to vote in a US election.
- He is the first US citizen elected pope (May 2025) and has clashed with the Trump administration over immigration and US‑Israel‑Iran issues.
- The midterms on 3 Nov will decide Congress control, with Democrats leading in polls despite Trump’s rallies.
Pope Leo XIV, the first US‑born pontiff elected in May 2025, submitted a mail‑in ballot in Illinois for the upcoming midterm elections. The Chicago‑born pope’s vote marks a historic first for the Vatican, as he is the first pope ever to participate in a United States election. He requested the ballot from the Will County Clerk’s Office on 3 October, according to NBC News, and cast it ahead of nationwide early voting that began in most states.
Political context Since taking office, Pope Leo XIV has clashed with the Trump administration over immigration enforcement and the US‑Israel conflict with Iran. Tensions escalated in April after the pope called for peace following US‑Israeli strikes on Iran. President Trump responded publicly, saying he did not think the pope was doing a good job and expressing disapproval of the pontiff’s stance on nuclear weapons. The pope replied that the Church’s mission is to preach the Gospel and peace, urging listeners to value God’s words.
Health and travel Less than two weeks after requesting his ballot, the Vatican announced Pope Leo XIV underwent surgery to remove a lower lobe of his right lung after a lung‑cancer diagnosis. At 71, he remains scheduled to travel to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru in early November.
The US midterm elections on 3 November will determine control of Congress and shape the final years of Donald Trump’s presidency. Polls show Democrats favored to win the House of Representatives and gain Senate seats, even in Republican‑leaning districts that backed Trump in 2024. In response to the gloomy outlook for Republicans, Trump has been holding rallies in traditionally safe GOP states.
Source: BBC World
Questions and answers
- Why is Pope Leo XIV’s vote in the US midterms historic?
- It is the first time a pope has ever cast a ballot in a United States election, highlighting his role as a US citizen and the intersection of religion and politics.
- What are the main points of tension between Pope Leo XIV and President Trump?
- They have disagreed on immigration enforcement, US‑Israel strikes on Iran, and Trump has publicly criticized the pope’s stance on nuclear weapons.
- How does the timing of the Pope’s ballot relate to the midterm elections?
- He requested his ballot from Will County Clerk’s Office on 3 Oct, ahead of early voting that began in most states for the 3 Nov midterms.
