Pope Leo XIV's citizenship status raises legal questions

Pope Leo XIV, elected as the first U.S.-born leader of the Catholic Church, faces a unique legal situation regarding his citizenship status. Born Robert Prevost in Chicago in 1955, he held dual citizenship in the U.S. and Peru, where he served as a bishop and missionary for a decade before his papal election. This occurs during an era of increasing scrutiny regarding the citizenship of individuals holding foreign state positions. As pope, he leads both the Holy See and Vatican City, presenting him with the complexities of being both a U.S. citizen and a foreign head of state. The U.S. State Department actively reviews the citizenship status of Americans serving in such roles, creating a potential for complications regarding international law and the immunity these individuals may be entitled to under U.S. jurisdiction. To date, U.S. Supreme Court rulings have emphasized that Americans cannot be stripped of their citizenship unless they renounce it voluntarily. Legal experts suggest that it is unlikely the U.S. government would pursue the termination of Pope Leo's citizenship, considering there is no clear indication that he intended to renounce it upon becoming pope. Peru's laws are also accommodating, allowing Pope Leo to maintain his citizenship without legal conflicts while fulfilling his duties. Historical precedents indicate that other U.S. citizens have navigated similar challenges, though details regarding the citizenship of past popes remain largely undocumented. Despite these complexities, it appears that Pope Leo's position may continue indefinitely without the risk of citizenship revocation under current legal frameworks.