Pope Leon XIV updates Peruvian records, strengthening ties
Pope Leon XIV updated his information in the Peruvian citizens' registry, adding his Vatican address and a new photograph. This gesture underscores his connection with Peru.
What do you need to know?
- Pope Leon XIV updated his information in the Peruvian citizens' registry, including his Vatican address and a new photograph.
- Data update was executed by a four-member team of Reniec officials who visited the Pope in the Vatican.
- Pope Leon XIV was born in the USA but has been a Peruvian citizen since 2015.
Why did Pope Leon XIV update his information?
Pope Leon XIV, also known as Robert Prevost, was born in Chicago but has been linked to Peru for many years. In 2015, he obtained citizenship of this country, and his data update in the Peruvian citizens' registry is a symbolic gesture that highlights his bond with the nation. As noted by Carmen Velarde, head of the Peruvian National Registry of Identification and Civil Status (Reniec), "this confirms his care for the country".
What are the consequences of this update?
The update of data by Pope Leon XIV also carries practical significance. All adult Peruvians aged 69 and younger are required to vote in elections. However, Leon XIV, who will turn 70 this September, will not need to participate in next year's presidential elections.
Despite the excitement surrounding the election of the first pope with Peruvian citizenship, the percentage of Catholics in Peru is declining. According to a May survey by the Peruvian Institute of Studies (IEP), currently, 60.2 per cent of Peru's population identifies as Catholic, down from 63.5 per cent six months earlier.
