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The Catholic Church is often associated with vows of poverty and simplicity. But the financial realities of its top leaders tell a more complex story. Cardinals receive significant salaries, live rent-free in spacious residences, and enjoy various benefits. However, the late Pope Francis sought to shift this tradition by cutting cardinal salaries and opting to live in a modest guesthouse rather than the traditional papal apartments. His actions raised questions about the balance between the Church's teachings on poverty and the financial practices within the Vatican.
Intrigued? Click on to learn more about surprising salaries and benefits of cardinals and the pope.
Within the Catholic Church hierarchy, salaries differ by role and responsibility. Cardinals working in Vatican departments earn between €4,000-€5,000 (US$4,300-$5,400) monthly.
In March 2021, as part of efforts to tighten Vatican spending, Pope Francis ordered a 10% salary cut for cardinals based in Rome. This included the removal of two monthly allowances, worth approximately €500 (US$540), often used to pay personal secretaries.
The reform reflects the late pope's broader push for austerity and a Church leadership rooted in simplicity and service.
Only about 20 cardinals who head Vatican departments were impacted by these cuts. The wider College of Cardinals, numbering over 230 members globally, remains unaffected.
The move focused on Rome-based cardinals responsible for central governance, symbolizing that financial reform must begin at the Church's heart and with its most senior and visible leaders.
Bishops' salaries vary by region, but most receive around €2,500 to €3,000 (US$2,700–$3,200) per month. In wealthier dioceses, bishops may earn more and enjoy additional stipends or allowances.
Bishops also often receive free housing, meals, and vehicles, plus have their travel expenses covered, making their total compensation package much more valuable than the monthly salary alone.
Popes are entitled to a monthly salary of around €30,000 (US$32,400), though Pope Francis never accepted it.
Pope Francis also declined the symbolic monthly stipend of €2,500 (US$2,700) that his predecessors received. His living costs, however, were fully covered by the Holy See.
Francis intentionally modeled his lifestyle on Saint Francis of Assisi. By renouncing papal luxuries and income, he made a theological and ethical statement.
His choices weren't about austerity for its own sake, but about reorienting the Church's priorities toward service, humility, and closeness to the poor, values he believed should define every level of Catholic leadership.
Pope Francis resided in the Domus Sanctae Marthae, a modest Vatican guesthouse, instead of the Apostolic Palace. This choice not only reflected his personal humility, but also reduced costs associated with maintaining the traditional papal residence.
Historically, popes have lived in the Apostolic Palace since the 16th century. It was originally chosen by Pope Paul V in 1605, reinforcing the Vatican's central role in Church authority.
High-ranking clergy often benefit from free or subsidized housing in Vatican-owned properties. Some apartments in Rome previously offered below-market rents.
Pope Francis ended many of these subsidies in 2023, targeting cardinals and top officials. The reform aimed to curb privilege and realign the Church's internal culture with values of transparency and modesty.
Church officials, especially those in senior roles, receive benefits beyond their salaries, such as paid-for international travel, private drivers, healthcare, and personal security. These aren't considered personal income, but are essential operational expenses covered by the Church.
The pope's travels are fully funded by the Vatican or host countries, with expenses carefully planned. These trips reflect diplomatic and spiritual duties, not personal leisure.
Peter's Pence is a centuries-old donation fund overseen by the pope and supported by Catholics worldwide. It's intended to finance the Church’s charitable missions, disaster relief, and aid for struggling communities.
Infamously, it became known that, between 2014 and 2018, tens of millions of euros from Peter's Pence were used to invest in a luxury property in London's Chelsea district.
When the investment failed, the Vatican lost millions. The scandal sparked global outrage and led to a 2021 trial involving senior officials, including Cardinal Angelo Becciu, charged with embezzlement and abuse of office.
In response to the scandal, Pope Francis launched a series of financial reforms aimed at restoring transparency and accountability. He centralized financial oversight, tightened controls over Church investments, and emphasized ethical stewardship of donations.
The Vatican’s finances are split between two main entities: the Holy See, which oversees global Church governance, and Vatican City, the independent city-state that generates income through tourism and services.
In strong years, Vatican Museums bring in over €80 million (US$86 million), often used to cover Holy See deficits. COVID-19 severely reduced revenue, leading Pope Francis to implement sweeping budget cuts.
The Vatican, as a sovereign city-state, is exempt from taxes, both within Vatican City and internationally. This includes exemptions on income, property, and sales taxes. Additionally, clergy members, particularly those in senior positions, are often exempt from taxes in many countries where they reside or serve.
In one of his final charitable gestures, Pope Francis donated €200,000 (US$216,000) from his personal account to support a pasta factory inside Casal del Marmo, a juvenile prison in Rome. The factory project aimed to reduce the prison's mortgage, lower product prices, and provide employment opportunities for young inmates.
By refusing his salary, cutting cardinal pay, and ending subsidized housing, Pope Francis called for a Church led by example, grounded in humility and solidarity with the poor and marginalized.
Sources: (CNN) (Reuters) (Euronews)
See also: Who are the possible contenders to replace Pope Francis?
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LIFESTYLE Catholic Church
The Catholic Church is often associated with vows of poverty and simplicity. But the financial realities of its top leaders tell a more complex story. Cardinals receive significant salaries, live rent-free in spacious residences, and enjoy various benefits. However, the late Pope Francis sought to shift this tradition by cutting cardinal salaries and opting to live in a modest guesthouse rather than the traditional papal apartments. His actions raised questions about the balance between the Church's teachings on poverty and the financial practices within the Vatican.
Intrigued? Click on to learn more about surprising salaries and benefits of cardinals and the pope.