First American Pope’s Republican Voting History...

VATICAN CITY — The election of Cardinal Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV on Thursday, May 8, 2025, marked a historic moment for the Catholic Church, as he became the first American pontiff in its 2,000-year history. However, revelations about his voting history in the United States, particularly his participation in Republican primaries, have drawn attention but shocked few, given his Chicago roots and public stances.

According to voting records from Will County, Illinois, Prevost, a Chicago native of French, Italian, and Spanish descent, is registered to vote in the suburb of New Lenox. He has consistently participated in U.S. elections when in the country, casting ballots in the general elections of 2024, 2018, 2014, and 2012. Notably, he voted in Republican primaries in 2012, 2014, and 2016, including the presidential primaries in 2012 and 2016, as confirmed by data from the Illinois State Board of Elections and shared with CBS News. Illinois does not require voters to register with a political party, but primary voters must select a party’s ballot, and Prevost’s record shows a preference for Republican primaries over Democratic ones.

Despite his Republican primary voting history, Prevost’s political alignment should not be misconstrued as an endorsement of President Donald Trump or his administration. Social media posts from an X account under Prevost’s name, shared before his election as pope, indicate criticism of Trump’s immigration policies and those of Vice President JD Vance. In 2020, Prevost reposted messages supporting racial justice following the murder of George Floyd, and in 2017, he shared a post from Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) advocating for gun reform after the Las Vegas mass shooting. These actions suggest a divergence from some conservative Republican stances, aligning more closely with the social justice priorities of his predecessor, Pope Francis.

“Prevost’s voting in Republican primaries reflects his engagement in the U.S. electoral process, but his public statements and social media activity show a nuanced perspective, often critical of hardline conservative policies,” said Massimo Faggioli, a Vatican scholar at Villanova University. “His focus on migrants, the poor, and the environment mirrors Francis’ legacy, not necessarily the Republican platform.”

Prevost’s dual citizenship with Peru, where he served as a missionary for two decades and later as Bishop of Chiclayo, further complicates assumptions about his political leanings. His time in Peru, coupled with his role as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, has shaped a global outlook that transcends U.S. partisan divides. Fidel Purisaca Vigil, communications director for Prevost’s former diocese in Chiclayo, described him as maintaining “good humor and joy” while prioritizing the poor, a trait expected to define his papacy.

As Pope Leo XIV, Prevost is expected to maintain political neutrality, focusing on global Church leadership. His first remarks from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica emphasized peace and unity, calling for the “light of Christ” to bridge divides. He is set to celebrate Mass with cardinals on Friday, deliver his first Sunday blessing, and meet with media on Monday, signaling an active start to his papacy.

The Catholic Church’s first American pope brings a complex background to the Vatican, blending U.S. civic engagement with a global pastoral perspective. While his Republican primary voting history has raised eyebrows, it is his commitment to social justice and Church reform that will likely define his legacy.

Sources:

• CBS News: “Pope Leo XIV voted in 2024 U.S. election — here's which primaries he's voted in”

• NBC News: “Pope Leo XIV's social media posts offer some insight into his politics”

• Reuters: “Prevost surprises as first US pope, takes name Leo XIV”

• The Guardian: “US cardinal Robert Francis Prevost chosen as new pope”

• PBS News: “Cardinal Prevost elected next pope, first American pontiff”

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