The Pope, despite leading over a billion Catholics and heading a sovereign nation, does not receive a traditional paycheck. Instead, the Vatican covers all his living needs — housing, transport, food, medical care, and security.
Although entitled to a salary of about €2,500 per month, Pope Francis chose to forgo it during his time as pontiff (2013–2025). “It symbolises his dedication to poverty and simplicity,” the article explains, mirroring the life of St. Francis of Assisi.
The Vatican doesn’t pay popes in the typical sense — but they are far from poor. Resources include official residences, a fleet of vehicles, and allowances for charity, such as the €200,000 Pope Francis gave to Roman prisoners.
Although the Pope has access to many benefits, these are not for personal gain. Pope Francis’s estimated net worth of £12 million reflects Vatican-funded services, not private riches.
Vatican funding comes from investments, tourism, museum revenue, and donations — with Peter’s Pence alone bringing in £20 million annually, mainly from Italy, Germany, and the U.S. Despite this, the Vatican ran a £70 million deficit in 2023. Francis responded with major pay cuts, including a 10% reduction in cardinal salaries.
Ordinary priests in Rome earn about €1,200 per month, bishops around €3,000. Monks and nuns, who take vows of poverty, usually receive no salary unless working in Church administration. In a further push for fairness, Francis ended subsidised housing for senior clergy.
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