Congressman Jeff Hurd / Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives (Left), Pope Leo XIV by Catholic Church England and Wales (Mazur/cbcew.org.uk) / Flickr (Right)
Republican Rep. Jeff Hurd of Colorado introduced a bill earlier this month to protect Pope Leo XIV’s American citizenship amid questions over whether he could be required to give it up under US law.
The Holy Sovereignty Protection Act, introduced July 17, would bar the US government from revoking the citizenship of any American elected pope. It would also exempt him from filing federal tax returns, citing the papacy’s dual role as a religious leader and head of state.
The State Department says it may review cases in which an American is appointed as a foreign head of state, citing complex questions of international law and diplomatic immunity. Under federal law, an American can lose citizenship by voluntarily accepting a foreign head-of-state position — but only if they intend to relinquish citizenship.
In May, The Pillar asked the State Department whether Pope Leo’s citizenship would be reviewed, but the department declined to comment on individual cases.
The Vatican has also raised concerns about potential legal and financial complications for the Pope.
According to reports from The Pillar and The Washington Post, Vatican officials were particularly concerned that Pope Leo might be required to file IRS tax returns or disclose income and assets — including Vatican funds — under US law.
Hurd’s bill would block any such disclosures by treating the papacy as a unique office that spans both religious leadership and head-of-state responsibilities.
“This legislation recognizes the extraordinary nature of the papacy,” Hurd said in a July 18 press release, “a role at the intersection of faith, leadership, and global responsibility.”
The legislation is cosponsored by Republican Reps. Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania, Stephanie Bice of Oklahoma, Glenn Grothman of Wisconsin, Michael Lawler of New York, Brian Jack of Georgia, and Chuck Fleischmann of Tennessee.
