Pope Leo XIV restores Vatican bonus tradition amid fiscal woes
Vatican employees received a bonus of €500 (CAD 780) to celebrate the election of the new pope—a decision made by Leo XIV. The Ansa agency explained that with this decision, the new pope restored the tradition of granting such awards after the conclave, which had been previously abolished by Francis.
Vatican employees, many of whom are laypeople, received the bonus on Friday, on the eve of the audience where they would meet with Leo XIV.
The pope will also welcome dignitaries from the Roman Curia on Saturday.
The Vatican's financial system has been facing serious issues for years. Francis, the first Jesuit on the papal throne, encouraged the clergy to lead a modest life, but saving alone could not resolve the Apostolic See's financial crisis.
The Vatican increasingly relied on museum ticket sales to fund its civil service, the worldwide network of embassies, and the Swiss Guard—a small force paid with Swiss Francs. The city-state serves seven million tourists annually and a global community of the faithful, without collecting taxes.
After more than a month of discussions, Francis decided on one solution: to ask the faithful for more contributions. On February 11, he signed a chirograph, or papal directive, aimed at increasing donations. Three days later, he was hospitalized with bilateral pneumonia. He passed away on April 21, leaving his successor, Leo XIV, with an economic challenge similar to the one he himself had inherited.
Cardinal Michael Czerny, who oversaw Vatican humanitarian aid under Francis, admitted: "Those of us who live and work here are obviously all too aware" of the problem. The cardinals gathering to elect the pope received what he described as a "detailed report" on Vatican finances: "I am concerned because of the effects on our mission, our staff, our programs."
