Pope Leo votes in US midterm elections; USCCB issues statement

October 31, 2026

Pope Leo XIV cast a mail-in ballot in the U.S. midterm elections.

“Pope Leo XIV has exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen, whenever he was eligible to do so,” the Holy See Press Office said in a statement. “In keeping with this long-standing practice of civic participation, he has submitted his mail-in ballot in Chicago.”

“The Holy Father has also confirmed that, during his years of residence in Peru he exercised his right to vote whenever he was eligible to do so,” the statement continued. “The Holy Father expresses his belief in the right and the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes.”

Chieko Noguchi, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ executive director of public affairs, said that “as Catholics and Americans, we are blessed to be able to participate in our nation’s political and public life.”

She added:

With the midterm elections approaching in the United States, the Conference has been encouraging Catholics to exercise their right to vote and to do so in a way that places our faith before our politics. In voting, our Holy Father sets the example that encourages each citizen to exercise their civic responsibility. The U.S. bishops have emphasized that is not “who” one is voting for, but rather on encouraging Catholics to inform their conscience as they prepare to vote and to uphold human dignity and the common good in doing so.

 

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Further information:

• Pope Leo XIV votes in US midterm elections via mail-in ballot (Vatican News, 10/30/26)
• USCCB Statement on Pope Leo XIV Voting in Midterm Elections in USA (10/30/26)