A very common doubt, even among religious people, is How much does the Pope win? The answer, even if it surprises many, is that the Pope does not receive a Monthly salary for your work. His role as leader of the Catholic church It is considered a spiritual service, not a paid job.
What is the monthly salary of the Pope?
Before his death, Pope Francis declared on more than one occasion that He did not receive a salary. In an interview with Jordi Évole and also in the Disney+ Amen documentary. Francisco responds, he explained directly: “when I need money to buy shoes or something, I go and ask for it. I have no salary.”
This statement confirms that your daily life is fully financed by the Holy Seefrom lodging to food, clothing and transport.
The Vatican, as an independent state, is in charge of covering all its personal and official needs. There is no one Monthly payrollbut an allocation of resources for any expense that the pontiff may have. According to The economic Times, Francisco even refused to receive any type of salary since he assumed his position in 2013.
How does the Vatican get income?
The Vatican does not live from tourism or entries to San Pedro Basilica only. Its economy is supported by a combination of donations, investments and private companies.
One of the most important contributions is the so -called Obolo of San Pedro, a voluntary collection made by the faithful Catholics around the world. This fund, according to the Michigan Journal of Economics, generates around 27 million dollars annually, and the main contributions come from countries such as the United States, Germany and Italy.
To this are added the investments that the Vatican statemany of them under total reserve. Although the Holy See does not publish exact figures, Investopepedia and the World Factbook of the CIA estimate that its income and expenses in 2013 were around 315 and 348 million dollars, respectively.
Pope Francis’s austere lifestyle
One of the most symbolic decisions of Pope Francisor was not living in the traditional Apostolic Palace. A few days after being chosen, he preferred to settle in the Santa Marta housea more modest residence within the Vatican.
As he said in an interview with Swiss radio, he did not feel comfortable with the idea of living in such an isolated place: “I can not tolerate him psychologically,” he said.
-In later letters and interviews, the Pontiff explained that living there allows him to be closer to people, share the dining room, officiate public masses and maintain a more “normal” life.
His intention was always to wear a simpler and luxurious papacy. He even joked that his standard of living is similar to that of “a medium -level employee”, as mentioned in the Disney+documentary.
Can the next Pope change this?
He Francisco successorRobert Francis Prevost, will have the freedom to resume traditions or establish his own style. May decide whether to live the apostolic palace or remain in a more modest residence, and also establish how to manage their relationship with the economic resources of the Vatican.
How much does a Pope receive from pension?
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, for example, received a pension after his resignation in 2013. He lived in the Mater Ecclesiae monastery, withinthe Vaticanuntil his death in 2022.
Their expenses were also fully covered by the Holy See. That is, even when they no longer exercise like Pontiffsthe potatoes are still treated by the Vatican State, as a form of care and respect for their service.
How much do the rest of the clergy win?
Although there are no official figures published by the Holy Seeseveral Italian media have reported that Cardinals They receive between 4,500 and 5,000 euros per month, that is, between 98 thousand and 110 thousand pesos and while an Archbishop or Head of Dicastery earns between 3,000 and 4,000 euros.
In 2021, due to the financial crisis aggravated by the pandemic, the Papa Francisco ordered a 10 % reduction in the salaries of cardinals and between 3 % and 8 % for other ecclesiastical positions.
This measure was also part of its spending containment policy, since the annual operating deficit of the Vatican In 2023 it exceeded 90 million dollars, according to Vatican News.
Although The Pope does not receive a salary As such, nothing is missing. Its role is understood as a spiritual and pastoral service, and the Holy See It is responsible for covering any need.
