Pope Leo XIV: Vatican requests mail-in ballot for Lake County
The first American-born pope requested a ballot from Will County earlier in October, though officials have not yet received the returned form.
By Rafael Delgado ·
Robert Francis Prevost, the current Pope Leo XIV, requested a mail-in ballot from the Will County Clerk’s Office. A spokesperson for the pontiff confirmed the request to NBC News on Thursday. This confirmation came after the Chicago Sun-Times first reported on the paperwork submission.
Prevost was born in Chicago and selected for the papacy last year. He has not traveled back to the United States since assuming the role. Under U.S. law, he retained his citizenship upon his election to the papacy. This status keeps him eligible to vote in American elections.
The Will County Clerk’s Office chief of staff stated that the office has not yet received the completed ballot from the Vatican. The November 3 election deadline is approaching. The ballot must be postmarked by that date to count.
If Prevost casts the vote, he will become the first pope to participate in a U.S. election. He has previously made public statements regarding American politics. Those comments have at times drawn criticism from President Donald Trump. The pontiff’s voting history in his home community remains a point of local interest ahead of the general election.
