Pope Leo XIV Requests Mail-In Ballot for Illinois Midterms

Pope Leo XIV requested a mail-in ballot on October 3 to vote in the Illinois midterm elections from Vatican City. The Will County clerk's office confirmed the request for the pope, who is registered to a New Lenox address. This is the first time a pope will vote in a U.S. election, with his ballot including races for the U.S. Senate and the reelection of Governor JB Pritzker.

The move comes amid ongoing friction between the pope and the Trump administration. Since his election in May 2025, Pope Leo has frequently clashed with President Donald Trump over mass deportations, immigration enforcement, and the war in Iran. Trump has described the pope as "terrible for foreign policy" and "WEAK on crime," while Vice President JD Vance cautioned the pope regarding his discussions on theology.

Pope Leo responded that he is not afraid of the Trump administration or of speaking out about the message of the Gospel. The pope recently returned to the Vatican on October 18 following surgery to remove part of his right lung due to adenocarcinoma.