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Pope Leo XIV Repeals COVID-era Pay Cuts for Vatican Cardinals
Confirmed
In Short: Pope Leo XIV has canceled the salary reductions imposed by his predecessor, Pope Francis, in 2021 to address the Vatican's financial deficit.
Pope Leo XIV has repealed the cost-cutting measures introduced by Pope Francis in 2021 to address the Vatican’s financial deficit, which was projected at $60 million. According to reports, these measures included a 10% reduction in the stipends of Vatican cardinals and other senior officials, as well as an 8% reduction for other high-level positions and employees of the Holy See and Vatican City State.
Under the previous decree, cardinals’ monthly stipends, which are about $5,768 (5,000 euros), were reduced by 10%. Pope Francis had previously described these cuts as necessary for an “economically sustainable future” at the Vatican. However, Pope Leo XIV has now officially repealed these salary cuts, stating in his motu proprio that those measures “may now be set aside, in the certainty that the Institutions of the Holy See and of the Vatican City State will continue, through different means, their commitment to ensuring economic sustainability.”
The decree also marks a shift in the Vatican’s approach to its financial management. As part of the new measures, cardinals and other high-level positions at the Vatican will no longer be able to live in Vatican-connected apartments for free or at special prices. Additionally, Pope Leo XIV has cancelled Pope Francis’ plan to shift some of the Vatican’s secret archives and library holdings outside Vatican City, according to reports.
In a separate move, Pope Leo XIV marked his 71st birthday on Monday by giving Vatican employees a financial reprieve, with the Vatican publishing a papal decree that repealed the salary cuts imposed in 2021. He also ordered a new building on a current parking lot to house the material, including ancient manuscripts and full archival collections from past popes, religious congregations, and benefactors. Pope Leo XIV visited the Vatican Apostolic Library on Monday and said it was especially fitting to celebrate his birthday with its staff because his mother had been a librarian.
What's confirmed
- Pope Leo XIV has repealed the cost-cutting measures introduced by Pope Francis in 2021 to address the Vatican’s financial deficit, which was projected at $60 million. According to reports, these measures included a 10% reduction in the stipends of Vatican cardinals and other senior officials, as well as an 8% reduction for other high-level positions and employees of the Holy See and Vatican City State.
- The decree also marks a shift in the Vatican’s approach to its financial management. As part of the new measures, cardinals and other high-level positions at the Vatican will no longer be able to live in Vatican-connected apartments for free or at special prices. Additionally, Pope Leo XIV has cancelled Pope Francis’ plan to shift some of the Vatican’s secret archives and library holdings outside Vatican City, according to reports.
- In a separate move, Pope Leo XIV marked his 71st birthday on Monday by giving Vatican employees a financial reprieve, with the Vatican publishing a papal decree that repealed the salary cuts imposed in 2021. He also ordered a new building on a current parking lot to house the material, including ancient manuscripts and full archival collections from past popes, religious congregations, and benefactors. Pope Leo XIV visited the Vatican Apostolic Library on Monday and said it was especially fitting to celebrate his birthday with its staff because his mother had been a librarian.
What's still developing
- The cuts had included a 10 per cent reduction in pay for cardinals, along with smaller cuts for office heads and lower-ranking priests and nuns.