Pope Leo Seeks Illinois Absentee Ballot for Midterms Vote

WHO:

NBC News - Pope Leo is identified as having requested an absentee ballot in Illinois.

Newsweek - Pope Leo XIV is identified as having requested an Illinois ballot.

NY Post - Pope Leo XIV is identified as the first pope to vote in a U.S. general election.

WHAT:

NBC News - Pope Leo requested an absentee ballot to vote in the midterms.

NBC News - It is unclear whether Leo has mailed his ballot.

Newsweek - Pope Leo may be among “the nearly 20 million Americans voting early.”

Newsweek - Pope Leo XIV requested an Illinois ballot.

NY Post - Pope Leo XIV has become the first pope to vote in a U.S. general election.

WHERE:

NBC News - The requested absentee ballot was in Illinois.

Newsweek - The Illinois ballot was requested to Pope Leo XIV’s Vatican City address.

WHY:

NBC News - The ballot request was for voting in the midterms.

NBC News - The article says Pope Leo has been critical of the Trump administration.

HOW:

NBC News - Pope Leo requested an absentee ballot.

Newsweek - Pope Leo XIV requested the Illinois ballot to be sent to his Vatican City address.

(UPDATED October 30, 2026 14:01 UTC)

Pope Leo requested an Illinois absentee ballot for the midterms, becoming the first pope to vote in a U.S. general election. The ballot was sent to his Vatican City address, though it remains unclear whether he has mailed it back. He has also been critical of the Trump administration.