With the Death of Pope Francis I On April 21, this 2025, and the arrival of fundamental moments of the choice of a new Pope, such as the Cardinals’ conclavemany people arise regarding the operation of the Vatican.
A topic of general interest, without going any further, is that of Vatican wagesand if all those who work there they receive a salary for their work, or only have their needs covered, such as Accommodation and foodbut they participate voluntarily due to their faith.
Also if there is any difference between lay workersthat are dedicated to administrative, security or logistics work, and those who are religious, but do not reach the status of the cardinals.
In addition, it should be remembered that in 2021, after the COVID19 crisis, Pope Francis and all the salaries of the people working in the Vatican reduced by 10%and again cut salary accessories and bonuses in 2024.
What are the Real earnings of the cardinalsamong which will be decided soon who will be the next Pope? Are there other advantages of being part of this select religious group?
The Pope did not have a assigned salaryas he said in the interview that Jordi Évole did in 2019, although he did have Funds administered by the Holy See to cover your personal needs. He had this in common with his predecessors, who did not perceive a salary as such.
-However, in addition to this, the Vatican financing model has been the subject of scrutiny for years, especially for its opacity and the complexity of their financial operations.
It is known that the Vatican is supported financially through private donations, of the famous San Pedro Obol– Pope Charity Fund- Religious tourism, sale of stamps and commemorative currencies and profitability of financial investments, among other things.
On the other hand, the Holy See manages a Budget that includes the expenses of its employeesincluding cardinals, bishops and other lay workers. Now, details about salaries and economic assignments Within the Vatican they are not always in the public domain, which feeds curiosity and speculation about how resources are distributed.
The cardinals, who are the ones who occupy the highest positions in the ecclesiastical hierarchy after the Pope, receive a monthly assignment that oscillates Between 4,000 and 5,000 euros.
However, in addition to a salary that is, the less generous, the cardinals also receive other benefits that help them a lot, such as homes within the Vatican At very small prices, access to stores of all kinds with lower prices that in the rest of the country- and Rome too- and Medical assistance completely free.
On the other hand, lay employees who work in the Vatican receive wages that vary according to their position and level of responsibility. These salaries are going From 1,300 to € 3,000 per monthand are similar to those of priests and bishops, who perceive a salary that usually goes From € 1,500 to € 2,500.
