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Can Pope Leo Remain a U.S. Citizen Now that He's a Foreign Head of State?

Born Robert Prevost in Chicago in 1955, Pope Leo XIV became the first pope to have been born in the United States when he assumed leadership of the Catholic Church and the Holy See in May 2025.
His election created a complex situation as he holds dual U.S. And Peruvian citizenship, a status acquired after serving as a missionary and bishop in Peru since 2015.
Vatican City, an independent state since 1929 covering 0.17 square miles, serves as his sovereign territory while he leads about 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.
Experts like law professor Peter Spiro say it is highly unlikely the U.S. Will revoke Leo's citizenship, noting the State Department reviews citizenship but requires explicit renunciation.
The situation highlights legal debates on citizenship for foreign heads of state, but observers believe Leo intends to emphasize his universal papal role rather than his American citizenship.

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The Hamilton Spectator

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Can Pope Leo remain a U.S. citizen now that he’s a foreign head of state?

Pope Leo XIV's election as the first U.S.-born leader of the Catholic Church elevated him to the extremely rare, and legally thorny, position of being an American citizen who now is also a foreign head of state.

6 hours ago·Hamilton, Canada

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Can Pope Leo remain a U.S. citizen now that he's a foreign head of state?

Pope Leo XIV’s election as the first American to lead the Catholic Church elevated him to the rare position of being a U.S. citizen who is also a foreign head of state.

6 hours ago·United States

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