Vatican revives papal bonus tradition amid financial struggles
Vatican employees received a bonus of €500 (£420) in celebration of the election of the new pope - this decision was made by Leo XIV. The Ansa agency explained that in this way, the new pope restored the tradition of granting such awards after the conclave, which had previously been abolished by Francis.
Vatican employees, many of whom are laypeople, received the bonus on Friday, on the eve of the audience where they will meet with Leo XIV.
The pope will also receive dignitaries from the Roman Curia on Saturday.
The Vatican's financial system has been struggling with serious problems for years. Francis, the first Jesuit to sit on the papal throne, encouraged the clergy to lead modest lives, but frugal measures alone could not resolve the Apostolic See's financial difficulties.
The Vatican increasingly relied on museum ticket sales to finance the civil service, the worldwide network of embassies, and the Swiss Guard - a small army compensated in Swiss Francs. The city-state welcomes seven million tourists annually and serves 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 money. On 11th February, he signed a chirograph, or papal directive, aimed at increasing donations. Three days later, he was hospitalised with bilateral pneumonia. He passed away on 21st April, leaving his successor, Leo XIV, with a similar economic problem that Francis 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."
