He Pope Leo XIVhead of the Catholic Church and the first pontiff with Peruvian nationality in history, is not registered as a polling station member in the lists released by the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) after the draw carried out for the General Elections of April 12, 2026.
The draw to define who will serve as regular or alternate polling station members took place on January 29 and is based on criteria such as age, location and absence of legal impediments, automatically excluding certain sectors, such as political authorities, electoral system workers or people with specific impediments.
Although Leo XIV—secular name Robert Francis Prevost—has had Peruvian nationality since 2015, he could participate in Peruvian elections, including the possibility of voting, because naturalized citizens have this right. However, due to his age (born in 1955 and 70 years old in 2026), he is not obliged to fulfill as a polling station member, a function that Peruvian law applies to citizens in general until the age of 65.
The Peruvian Pope
Pope Leo XIV’s relationship with Peru goes back decades. Although he was born in Chicago, United States, he was a missionary, teacher and pastor in various regions of the country; mainly in Piura, Trujillo and Chiclayo; for more than a decade, and was named bishop in 2015, the year in which he also obtained Peruvian nationality.
During the ad limina visit of Peruvian bishops to the Vatican, the pontiff expressed that “Peru occupies a special place in my heart,” remembering his pastoral experience and his spiritual bond with the Peruvian Church and society.
Despite his dual nationality (American and Peruvian), his lifestyle and residence in Vatican City prevent him from participating in civic functions as a polling station member, whose role requires physical presence during election day. In addition, the electoral law automatically excludes from the draws people who hold positions, who are outside the country at the time of the draw, or who are of advanced age.
The absence of Leo
However, the president of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference, Mons. Carlos García, after being received in Rome by the pontiff during the ad limina Apostolorum visit that the Peruvian bishops are carrying out this week in the Vatican, confirmed that The Pope would visit Peru in November, just after the general elections were over.
How to know if I am a board member
The National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) carried out the draw for the polling station members for the 2026 General Elections that will take place on April 12.
In total, 834,660 citizens were elected who will have the responsibility of carrying out this position. The increase in the number of substitutes to six (previously there were three) seeks to guarantee the timely installation of the tables, avoiding resorting to the support of voters in line.
For each polling station, a president, a secretary, a third member and six substitutes were elected, as established by law No. 32231.
Enter this LINK to find out if you were elected board member.
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