Leo XIV.. the first Pope of the Vatican to cast his vote in elections

Pope Leo

The Vatican said in a statement on Friday that Leo, the first American pope, “sent his ballot by mail in Chicago.” The statement added, "The Supreme Pontiff expresses his belief in the right and duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes."

Michael Walsh, a British historian and author of several books on the papacy, said that Leo XIV is thus considered the first pope to participate in secular democratic elections.

“I do not believe that any pope has ever participated in democratic elections before,” he said in a statement to CNN.

Records show that the pope, who still retains his American citizenship, is registered as a voter in New Lenox, a suburb of Chicago, where his brother John resides. The Chicago-born Pope has participated in the Republican and Democratic primaries in recent years, and cast his ballot in the 2024 presidential election.

Since his election to the papacy in May 2025, the Pope has encouraged civic engagement and urged people to express their opinions about the war waged by the United States and Israel against Iran.

Pope Leo entered into disagreements with the administration of President Donald Trump over the Iran war and its strict immigration policies. Earlier this year, President Trump launched an unprecedented series of criticism against Leo

CNN has asked the Will County Clerk's Office for comment.