Pope Leo is a lifelong American citizen. However as Pope, he’s additionally the chief of Vatican Metropolis, an internationally acknowledged sovereign nation. Can an American citizen lead a international nation? And may a Pope retain international citizenship?
The solutions are sure and sure — nevertheless it hardly ever occurs.
United States regulation permits twin citizenship. In response to the State Division, a twin citizen who turned a international head of state wouldn’t essentially lose American citizenship if she or he needed to maintain it.
And the Holy See lets a Pope retain different citizenships. Pope Francis retained his Argentine nationality and even renewed his Argentine passport in 2017. His two predecessors additionally retained their native citizenship.
The State Division explains on its web site that it’ll “actively evaluate” circumstances of international heads of state wishing to retain American citizenship, whereas warning that such circumstances “elevate advanced questions of worldwide regulation,” together with ones associated to immunity from American authorized jurisdiction.
International leaders who wish to retain American nationality can notify the State Division of their choice, the division says, whereas an individual who needs to surrender citizenship should inform a U.S. embassy or consulate ”and comply with the required steps.”
In uncommon circumstances, U.S. residents have served as international heads of state. Somalia’s former president, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, was born in Somalia however lived in america and have become a naturalized American citizen earlier than his 2017 election. He renounced his American citizenship two years later, amid costs of twin loyalties.
Vatican Metropolis, the place the Pope resides, is ruled by the Holy See, which is taken into account a sovereign authorities. It’s acknowledged by the United Nations, though it chooses to carry everlasting observer standing there somewhat than full member standing, “due primarily to the will of the Holy See to take care of absolute neutrality in particular political issues,” the Holy See’s mission to the U.N. says on its website.
Pope Leo can also be a citizen of Peru, which permits twin citizenship, although it’s unclear whether or not it has legal guidelines relevant to a citizen turning into a international head of state.
The State Division didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark about Pope Leo’s circumstances, and the Vatican has not publicly indicated his plans.
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