Pope Leo requested an absentee ballot in Illinois to vote in the midterms

Pope Leo XIV, who grew up in Illinois and remains registered to vote there, has asked for a mail ballot so he can take part in the upcoming midterm elections from Vatican City. Will County Clerk's Office chief of staff Kim Fladhammer told NBC News the request came on Oct. 3. The Chicago Sun-Times broke the news. As of Thursday, the office had received nothing back, and it is not known whether the pope, who underwent lung cancer surgery this month, has completed or mailed the ballot. Any return would go to Joliet, Illinois. Because he is the first American pontiff, having assumed the office in May 2025, he would be the first pope ever to vote in a U.S. election.

The pope, born Robert Francis Prevost, has criticized President Donald Trump's handling of the war with Iran and of immigrants. After Leo urged peace in April, Trump attacked him online, and Leo told NBC News he had "no fear of the Trump administration."

Public records show a long voting history, including Republican primary ballots in three earlier years. His ballot features Rep. Jonathan Jackson, Democratic Senate nominee Juliana Stratton, and Gov. JB Pritzker.

Summarized by PolitiKool from NBC News’s reporting. Read the full story at NBC News →