As Pope Leo XIV assumes leadership of Vatican City, questions have arisen about whether the American-born pontiff can retain his U.S. citizenship while heading a foreign sovereign nation.
According to U.S. law and Vatican precedent, the answer is yes, the New York Times reported.
Pope Leo, a lifelong American citizen and a citizen of Peru, now serves as the head of state of Vatican City, an internationally recognized sovereign nation governed by the Holy See. The dual role has sparked debate over whether an American citizen can simultaneously lead a foreign nation — and whether doing so affects his U.S. citizenship status.
The United States, Peru, and the Holy See allow such a duality.
United States law permits dual citizenship, and the Department of State says American citizens who become foreign heads of state are not automatically stripped of their nationality. A dual citizen who became a foreign head of state would not necessarily lose American citizenship if they wanted to keep it, according to the department.
Foreign leaders wishing to maintain American citizenship can notify the State Department of their intent. Meanwhile, anyone seeking to renounce U.S. citizenship must follow a formal process through a U.S. embassy or consulate.
The department also notes that it will "actively review" such cases while warning that they may raise "complex questions of international law," including legal immunity within U.S. jurisdiction.
Historical precedent supports Pope Leo's situation. Originally from Argentina, Pope Francis retained his Argentine nationality and even renewed his Argentine passport in 2017. His two immediate predecessors kept their native citizenships after ascending to the papacy.
In the United States, it is rare but not unprecedented for citizens to serve as foreign heads of state. Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, who served as Somalia's president beginning in 2017, was a naturalized U.S. citizen. He renounced his American citizenship in 2019 after facing criticism over dual loyalties.
In addition to his U.S. nationality, Pope Leo holds Peruvian citizenship. Peru allows dual citizenship, but it remains unclear whether it has specific rules regarding its nationals serving as foreign heads of state.
Vatican City, where the Pope resides, is distinct from Italy and operates under the governance of the Holy See. The United Nations recognizes the Holy See, though it chooses not to be a full U.N. member.
According to its mission to the U.N., this decision is "due primarily to the desire of the Holy See to maintain absolute neutrality in specific political problems."
Jim Thomas ✉
Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, and has practiced law for more than 20 years.
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