VATICAN CITY (KTTC) – For the first time in history, an American from Chicago has been selected as the new pope of the Catholic Church, and some are wondering what his life at the Vatican will mean for his right to vote or even what his taxes might look like.
WHO IS POPE LEO XIV?
Cardinal Robert Prevost, now elected Pope Leo XIV, was born in Chicago in 1955 to parents of Spanish and Franco-Italian descent.
Prevost joined the Catholic Church and was ordained in 1982. After working his way up through his diocese, he was stationed in Peru by late Pope Francis, in 2014.
Prevost achieved Peruvian citizenship in 2015, giving him dual citizenship status.
In 2023, Prevost was relocated to the Vatican to work. He was placed in charge of vetting nominations for bishops around the world.
Now that Prevost has been elected pope, that means he’ll automatically gain Vatican citizenship for life by virtue of his position.
CAN THE POPE VOTE IN AMERICAN ELECTIONS?
Since Pope Leo XIV has triple citizenship between the Vatican, Peru and the United States, he’s provided all three territories’ rights, privileges and responsibilities, which means Prevost is still eligible to vote in American elections.
Citizens living outside the U.S. have to register for oversees voting.
For instance, to vote in U.S. elections, you have to register to vote first. And if you are a U.S. citizen living abroad, you will need to complete an official overseas voter registration and ballot request form.
WILL THE POPE HAVE TO PAY U.S. TAXES?
Another question some of us had was whether or not Pope Leo would be required to pay taxes on any of his income in the Vatican.
According to Fox News, the pontiff doesn’t receive a traditional salary like other Vatican employees. Instead, the Vatican largely provides for the pope’s needs, whether it be housing and food, or stipends and allowances.
Pope Francis reportedly refused any form of personal income during his time as the leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
So technically, Prevost won’t receive a traditional salary, though the stipends and allowances could potentially fall under jurisdiction of the American income tax system.
U.S. Citizens, whether living inside or outside the U.S. are still subject to required taxes of both countries they hold citizenship with.
While Vatican City does not have an existing tax system, any personal income he might receive would be subject to taxation.
At the same time, according to law, clergy members are required to declare personal income from wages, offerings, and fees received while performing clergy duties. Given that Prevost’s station is considered the highest authority of Catholic clergy, the law could apply to him as well.
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