Definitive abolition of salary reductions in the Vatican

Definitive abolition of salary reductions

The Pope repealed - as he wrote - the "wage limitation measures" adopted by Francis in the Motu Proprio of March 23, 2021. Leo XIV recalled that those steps "were also necessary to face the unique challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic."

These measures can now be lifted, with the certainty that the institutions of the Holy See and the Vatican City State will continue their efforts to ensure economic stability in other ways, the pope said.

The Italian media explained that this means the permanent abolition of salary reductions, including those of cardinals. Before the reduction, it amounted to approximately PLN 5,000. euro.

A historic decision by Pope Francis

Francis introduced the reductions in the document "Un futuro sostenibile" (A Sustainable Future). The decision to reduce salaries was justified by the need to stabilize the finances of the Holy See during the Covid-19 pandemic, which resulted in a significant decline in revenues. It was the first such broad pay cut at the Vatican in modern times.

The salaries of cardinals were reduced by 10 percent, and the salaries of heads of offices, i.e. dicasteries and secretaries, decreased by 8 percent. In addition, lay and clergy employees had their salaries reduced by 3%. – recalled the Vatican News website.

Part of the wage increases that are due every two years have also been blocked.