The rules behind Pope Leo remaining a US citizen now he's a foreign head of state

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Aol/The Independent

Sun, May 25, 2025 at 5:44 PM EDT


The election of Pope Leo XIV presents a unique legal and diplomatic situation, as the first American-born pontiff is also a dual citizen of the United States and Peru.

Born Robert Prevost in Chicago in 1955, the newly elected pope has held Peruvian citizenship for the past decade, alongside his American citizenship, due to his extensive missionary work and role as a bishop in the South American country.

This dual citizenship status, coupled with his new position as head of the Vatican City State, raises complex questions regarding his legal standing within the United States.

As pope, Leo serves as leader of both the Holy See, the governing body of the Catholic Church, and Vatican City, an independent state.

Read more: https://www.aol.com/rules-behind-pope-leo-remaining-214440138.html

[Buddyzbuddy]

1. Who the f.ck is AOL/TheIndependent to even think to raise the question?

He was born in America and IS an American, period.
What next mfer's. This is from an atheist. Damn, I'm tired of this press sh.t, trying to start sh.t.
In fact, I consider this a non starter.

Have a great day!

[SomewhereInTheMiddle]

2. I had the same question ...

about his US citizenship when he became a foreign head of state/government.

I had not even considered the dual citizenship with Peru aspect. Is he now a citizen of Vatican City as well (triple citizenship)?

Apparently, Vatican City law does not require the Pope to give up other citizenships.

I am now waiting for the administration to claim that since an American is the head of state that the Vatican City is not US territory, and the Pope has to do what Trump says.

It is nonsense, but that describes most of what comes out of DC these days.

[Old Crank]

16. Triple citizenship?

During Covid I checked with Canada and I am a Canadian. So US and Canada. We are applying for German citizenship, that will make three. Could be be more in practice as German citizenship means EU citizenship.

I am not, nor ever be a government official, to my knowledge.

[BumRushDaShow]

3. He's an American and American citizen BUT

he is NOW the head of what is basically a "foreign country" - "The Vatican", which is actually deemed an "independent" entity not associated with Italy other than being located within the borders of that country.

The Vatican has a U.S. Ambassador position (not confirmed yet) who is being headed up by the Biden-appointed Laura Hochla (Chargé d'Affaires) after the Ambassador (Joe Donnelly) stepped down in 2024 before the election.

Under 45's first term, Newt Gingrich's wife Callista, was the Ambassador.

[Renew Deal]

6. They raised a good question

And they had a good answer with other examples. It was a surprisingly substantive and useful article.

[Lucky Luciano]

14. Running for public office of a foreign country can threaten citizenship in the US

…under certain conditions.

It actually states something like that in your passport. Same with joining a foreign military.


Not sure what the conditions are.

[Mawspam2]

4. Trump will declare, in an executive order, that he is the return of Jesus and everyone must worship him.

"For I am the orange son of God and you shall obey my every command."

Nope, no reason to use the 25th Ammendment.

[70sEraVet]

5. The 'core issue' in this article is laughable --

"The core issue is whether foreign leaders should hold American citizenship when they also enjoy broad immunity from U.S. laws."
Can we please strip citizenship from our Blotus, since he also seems to 'enjoy broad immunity from U.S. laws'?

[tanyev]

7. Did Grace Kelly have to give up her U.S. citizenship when she became Princess Grace of Monaco?

[UpInArms]

9. Omg

Was typing mine before I read you reply

Gmta

[BumRushDaShow]

10. She wasn't the "head of state"

Like most minimizations of women, her husband was "in charge".

(alternately, but not citizenship-related, note the whole rigamarole around designating Queen Consort Camilla as Queen Camilla)

[tanyev]

12. Probably also a non-issue because Europe was so highly regarded in the U.S. at the time.

Wouldn’t surprise me a bit if Trump wanted to take Leo’s citizenship away because he’s criticized Trump’s actions.

[BumRushDaShow]

13. Oh this can become a production

but not necessarily for that outcome.

It could mean this nutjob demanding that we annex The Vatican as a "51st" (or "52nd" if you count Canada) state, with 45 then declaring he is taking over the title of "head of state" there!

[UpInArms]

8. Did grace Kelly have to relinquish her citizenship

When she became Princess grace of Monaco?

[BumRushDaShow]

11. She wasn't the "head of state". Her husband Prince Rainier III was.

[ToxMarz]

15. The same article also argues

'The core issue is whether foreign leaders should hold American citizenship when they also enjoy broad immunity from U.S. laws, said Peter Spiro, a Temple University law professor and an expert on citizenship law. Such immunity clashes with the constitutional principle that no U.S. citizen should be above the law.'

Along that line of thinking, maybe they should question whether the US President should give up their citizenship.