i think it would be an interesting commentary for an american pope to give up his american citizenship for citizenship of the holy see only. it shifts the conversation to deeds not words, toward a fascinating sacrifice of the most prized citizenship in the world (an american passport) in a climate of xenophobia and statelessness - and it kneecaps american carpetbaggers.

Vatican City and Holy See passports - Wikipedia

in an age of wealth funds and hedged identity trafficking: i think it is a spectacular way to walk the walk about serious issues like refugees and global necessity. american citizenship will always be a lynchpin for a pope - eliminate it publicly and become a citizen of your church in order to highlight global crises of identity corruption.

as a point of privilege, someone with the protections of a space like the vatican has the ability to make such a gesture and stir up genuine discourse about statelessness. not everyone could make that sacrifice, remain protected, and preach the message about the meaning of belonging in a serious human way. it is a powerful act.

i also think, geopolitically, it is critical for the papacy to not appear under the boot of the american presidency or corporate apparatus. influence is inescapable; deciding to not attempt to mitigate the appearance of influence defines the voice of the church and makes the unspoken assumption americans first. that is how it will appear over time. claiming peruvian mission will make no difference and probably set up peur as a target.

*peru