Big News.Network.com
04 Jun 2025

LIMA, Peru: Pope Leo XIV has not forgotten that he is also a Peruvian citizen. On Friday, he updated his national registration information with his new address in the Vatican and provided a new photo.

Peru's national registry agency explained that the pope updated his records as part of the country's efforts to keep track of Peruvian citizens living abroad. Although Pope Leo was born in the United States, he became a Peruvian citizen ten years ago.

According to a statement from the National Registry of Identification and Civil Status, four officials from Peru visited the pope at the Vatican. They collected his fingerprints and had him sign official documents.

Miguel Stigler, a spokesperson for the registry, told The Associated Press that Pope Leo said he wants to collect his updated ID card during a future visit to Peru.

However, it is not yet known when he will travel to Peru.

Pope Leo received Peruvian citizenship in August 2015. The following month, Pope Francis, who was pope at the time, made him the bishop of Chiclayo, a city in northern Peru. To become a citizen, Leo had to live in Peru for at least two years and pass a test on Peruvian laws and government.

In Peru, all adult citizens — including those who become citizens later in life — must vote in elections until they turn 70. Peru will hold a presidential election next April, but Leo will not be required to vote because he turns 70 in September.