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Pope Leo XIV requests an Illinois vote by mail ballot for midterms
Fox News • • nation
Key Points:
- Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost and the first American-born pope in Catholic Church history, has become the first pope to vote in a U.S. election by submitting a mail-in ballot in Illinois.
- The Holy See Press Office confirmed that Pope Leo XIV has exercised his right to vote as a U.S. citizen whenever eligible, emphasizing his belief in the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes.
- Illinois allows any registered voter to vote by mail without needing an excuse, under current laws including the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA).
- Robert Prevost is officially listed as having requested a mail-in ballot for the upcoming Illinois election, which includes the gubernatorial race between incumbent Democrat J.B. Pritzker and Republican Darren Bailey.
- The Pope also voted during his years of residence in Peru, reflecting his consistent civic participation across countries.
