Pope Leo XIV, who was born in Chicago as Robert Prevost, has held dual citizenship in the United States and Peru for over a decade. As the new pope, he now serves as leader of both the Holy See, the governing body of the Catholic Church, and Vatican City, an independent state. The question remains whether Pope Leo can remain a U.S. citizen while leading a foreign government.
The Vatican is considered a sovereign nation, but its small size and population make it a unique case. Vatican City covers just 0.17 square miles and has a few hundred people. The Holy See’s recognition as the world’s smallest nation raises complex questions about international law, particularly regarding immunity from U.S. jurisdiction.
Peter Spiro, a Temple University law professor, notes that foreign leaders may enjoy broad immunity from U.S. laws, which clashes with the constitutional principle that no U.S. citizen should be above the law. However, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that Americans cannot be stripped of their citizenship unless they intentionally renounce it.
Jorge Puch, deputy director of registry archives at Peru’s National Registry of Identification and Civil Status, confirms that Peruvian law does not conflict with Pope Leo remaining a citizen. The pope was granted Peruvian citizenship in 2015 after living in Peru for two years and passing a civics test.
Historically, it is unclear what happened to the citizenship status of previous popes. However, some notable examples of U.S. citizens serving as leaders of foreign governments include former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed.
The case of Pope Leo XIV highlights the challenges of balancing dual citizenship with diplomatic obligations. As the new pope navigates his roles, he is sending a message about his commitment to the universal Catholic Church rather than solely representing American interests.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/pope-leo-us-citizenship-head-of-state-7eaefc0dc366b2846ab948ceb97fdbc9