How much does the Pope earn from the Catholic Church and what is the salary of the Vatican’s Holy Father?
The Pope of the Catholic Church does not receive a formal salary, as his role is considered a spiritual and pastoral service.
With the death of Pope Francis, new details, rituals, and traditions come to light—some well-known but often forgotten. One such case is the Pope’s salary. Does he get paid? How much? The answer is no. The Pope does not receive a salary in the conventional sense, since his mission is seen as a spiritual vocation.
The Holy See covers all of his personal expenses—housing, travel, security, and other needs—throughout the entire length of his papacy, which in Francis’s case lasted 12 years. In an interview with Jordi Évole, Pope Francis candidly admitted: “They don’t pay me anything,” when a young person asked about his paycheck. He added, “When I need money to buy shoes or something, I ask for it.”
The Pope’s Financial Resources
- Vatican Fund: The Pope has access to Holy See resources to cover all official and personal expenses. Anything he needs is provided.
- Donations: The Pope receives contributions from the faithful and Catholic institutions, such as the Peter’s Pence (Obolo di San Pietro), which is used for charitable work and Church expenses. This Obulum Sancti Petri is a voluntary collection from Catholics worldwide aimed at supporting the Pope’s charitable and apostolic mission. It’s one of the main funding sources for humanitarian aid, missionary efforts, evangelization, support of the Roman Curia, scholarships, and assistance for seminarians and students in need.
- Personal Allowance: Some reports suggest the Pope may receive a modest monthly stipend for personal use (around €2,500 to €3,000), though this is not considered a fixed salary. Since his election in 2013, Pope Francis embraced a simple lifestyle, declining the luxurious Apostolic Palace and instead choosing to live in Casa Santa Marta, a more modest residence inside the Vatican, where he passed away this Monday.
What Happens After the Papacy?
Pope Benedict XVI received a pension and continued living under the Vatican’s care with all expenses covered, until his death on December 31, 2022, at the age of 95 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, his Vatican residence following his 2013 resignation.
In 2021, Pope Francis ordered a salary cut for cardinals and other high-ranking Vatican officials, a move meant to address the financial crisis worsened by the pandemic and the decline in tourism income. The measure also reflected his commitment to budget austerity.
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