We, the undersigned people of goodwill worldwide, respectfully petition His Holiness Pope Leo XIV to renounce his United States citizenship. Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago in 1955, Pope Leo XIV is the first American-born pontiff. As Pope and sovereign of Vatican City a fully independent foreign state he now leads the Catholic Church.
While U.S. law currently allows him to retain American citizenship, continuing to do so raises avoidable questions:
Potential conflicts with his role as a neutral spiritual leader above any single nation.
Worldwide U.S. taxation obligations that could complicate the Holy See’s finances and independence.
Any appearance of divided allegiance in an era when the Church must speak with one clear, universal voice.
Previous popes (including Pope Francis, who retained Argentine citizenship) have kept their birth-country passports, but none was a U.S. citizen. Pope Leo XIV has a historic opportunity to set a precedent of total detachment from national ties.
We therefore urge Pope Leo XIV to formally renounce his U.S. citizenship at the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See or through the appropriate channels. This simple, voluntary act would send a powerful message: the Successor of Peter belongs to the entire Church, not to any one country.
Your Holiness, the world is watching. Please choose the path of complete freedom and universality.
Sign this petition to show your support and encourage the Vatican to act.