Ethan Walker
Cardinals are high-ranking officials of the Catholic Church, and their duties include advising, governing the Roman Curia, and electing the new Pope. In October 2024, the Vatican cut the salaries of cardinals who headed the Catholic Church's top offices in Rome by about 10% or 500 euros ($540) a month. This decision was made in pursuit of a 'zero deficit' agenda of greater thrift, and the cardinals would no longer receive certain monthly allowances. Previously, the average salary of a cardinal in the Vatican was around $4,320 - $5,400 per month, which equates to about 5,000 euros or $5,500 per month.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Salary of Catholic Cardinals | Approximately $5,500 per month or $65,000 per year |
| Salary Reduction | 10% or 500 euros ($540) per month |
| Reason for Reduction | To improve the Vatican's financial standing and promote austerity |
| Cardinal's Duties | Advising, governing the Roman Curia, and electing the new Pope |
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What You'll Learn
Cardinals are high-ranking Catholic Church officials
Cardinals are high-ranking officials of the Catholic Church. They are responsible for advising, governing the Roman Curia, and electing the new Pope. In recognition of their senior positions, cardinals receive a monthly stipend of about 5,000 euros (approximately $5,500). This figure is not set in stone, however, and has been subject to fluctuations over time.
In March 2021, Pope Francis reduced cardinals' salaries by 10%, amounting to a decrease of around 500 euros ($540) per month. This decision was justified by the Vatican's financial crisis, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and a decline in revenue from tourism and donations. The salary reduction was intended to promote economic austerity and transparency within the Vatican.
The salary cut specifically targeted the “secretarial bonus” and the “office compensation” components of the cardinals' monthly allowances. These allowances were often utilised to cover the expenses of hiring personal secretaries. The reduction in remuneration did not go unopposed, with some cardinals seeking clarification and expressing their expectations for the upcoming synod.
It is important to note that the salary adjustments did not affect all cardinals uniformly. Cardinals outside the Roman Curia, the Vatican's central government, were not impacted by the salary cuts. Additionally, the salary reduction did not extend to housing benefits, which were addressed separately. In 2023, Pope Francis eliminated subsidised rents for cardinals and other high-ranking Vatican officials, further distancing their financial perks from those of the private sector.
While the salary of a Catholic cardinal may not be as extravagant as one might expect from a high-ranking official, it is essential to recognise that their position entails a commitment to spiritual and religious service, often prioritising faith over financial gain.
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Pope Francis cuts cardinal salaries
The salaries of Catholic cardinals are not public knowledge. However, it is estimated that cardinals working in the Vatican receive approximately €5,500 per month, which equates to about $65,000 per year.
In March 2021, Pope Francis announced a reduction in the salaries of cardinals serving in the Vatican by 10%. This decision was made to address the longstanding deficit in the financial management of the Holy See, which had been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The salary cut aimed to "safeguard current jobs" and secure "an economically sustainable future".
In a letter to the cardinals, Pope Francis emphasized the need for further collective effort to achieve a "zero deficit". The cut specifically affected the "secretarial bonus" and "office compensation", which were previously part of the cardinals' monthly allowances. As a result of this measure, cardinals' salaries were expected to decrease by approximately €500 per month, or $540.
This was not the first time Pope Francis had taken steps to address the financial challenges faced by the Vatican. In March 2023, he eliminated the privilege of cardinals and senior Vatican officials to utilize housing owned by the Holy See without charge or at advantageous rates. Additionally, he established the Office of the Auditor General in 2014 to improve transparency and accountability in the Vatican's finances.
Pope Francis's actions reflect his commitment to reforming the Vatican's financial management and ensuring the responsible utilization of the Church's resources.
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The average cardinal salary
Cardinals are high-ranking officials of the Catholic Church whose main duties include advising, governing the Roman Curia, and electing the new Pope. The Vatican does not specify how much a cardinal working in the Vatican receives, but sources indicate that it is approximately 5,000 euros a month (about $5,500 a month or $65,000 a year). This figure had been higher before the COVID-19 pandemic, with the average salary of a cardinal in the Vatican before the cut being around $4,320 - $5,400 per month.
In March 2021, Pope Francis announced a salary cut for cardinals (and other high-ranking officials of the Roman Curia) as part of his reforms to promote transparency and economic austerity in the Vatican. The salary reduction was justified by the Vatican's financial crisis, worsened by the pandemic and the decline in revenue from tourism and donations. The cut in salaries or stipends was in two areas: the "secretarial bonus" and the "office compensation," which were part of the monthly allowances and would no longer be paid. This amounted to a reduction of about 500 euros ($540) per month, or a 10% pay cut.
The salary cuts affected only cardinals who serve as heads of the Vatican's various departments in Rome, about 20 of the world's more than 230 "princes of the Church." Cardinals outside the Curia were not affected by the salary cuts. In addition to the salary cuts, Pope Francis also began to eliminate subsidised rents for cardinals and other top Vatican officials in 2023.
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Cardinals' monthly stipends
Cardinals are high-ranking officials of the Catholic Church, and their primary duties include advising, governing the Roman Curia, and electing the new Pope. While the salary of a cardinal is not publicly disclosed by the Vatican, sources indicate that cardinals working at the Vatican or retired from Vatican positions receive a monthly stipend of approximately 5,000 euros or $5,500. This amount is subject to change and has been adjusted in recent years due to economic factors and cost-cutting measures.
In March 2021, Pope Francis announced a 10% reduction in the salaries of cardinals, amounting to a decrease of about 500 euros or $540 per month. This decision was made to address the financial crisis faced by the Vatican, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and a decline in revenue from tourism and donations. The cut specifically affected the “secretarial bonus” and the “office compensation" components of their monthly allowances.
The salary reduction was part of Pope Francis' efforts to promote transparency and economic austerity within the Vatican and to pursue a “zero deficit” agenda. It is important to note that this salary cut only applied to cardinals serving as heads of the Vatican's departments in Rome and did not impact cardinals outside the Curia.
While the monthly stipends of cardinals have been adjusted, it is important to note that their exact salaries are not publicly available, and the amounts may vary depending on specific circumstances and the cardinal's position within the Vatican.
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Pope's zero deficit agenda
The salary of a Catholic cardinal is not disclosed by the Vatican. However, according to the Italian ANSA news agency, it is believed to be approximately 5,500 euros a month or about $65,000 a year. In 2021, Pope Francis ordered a 10% salary reduction for cardinals and other high-ranking Vatican officials to address the financial crisis exacerbated by the pandemic and the decline in tourism. This amounted to a decrease of about 500 euros ($540) per month.
Popes Zero Deficit Agenda
Pope Francis has been pursuing a "zero deficit" agenda to improve the Vatican's economic standing and promote fiscal responsibility. In a letter to the cardinals in 2021, he emphasized the need for collective effort to achieve this goal, stating:
> "The economic resources at the service of the mission are limited and must be managed with rigor and seriousness so that the efforts of those who have contributed to the patrimony of the Holy See are not lost."
To achieve this goal, the Pope has implemented several measures:
- Salary Cuts: In March 2021, the Pope ordered a 10% salary cut for cardinals serving in the Vatican. This measure was taken to safeguard jobs and ensure an economically sustainable future, given the financial deficits and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Vatican's finances.
- Eliminating Subsidized Housing: In March 2023, Pope Francis eliminated the provision of free or subsidized housing for cardinals and other senior Vatican officials. This aimed to reduce expenses and generate savings for the Vatican.
- Reducing Allowances: In October 2024, the Pope announced further cuts to the cardinals' monthly allowances, specifically in the areas of "secretarial bonus" and "office compensation." These allowances were often used to hire personal secretaries, and their elimination is expected to result in significant savings.
These measures demonstrate Pope Francis's commitment to fiscal responsibility and his desire to protect jobs and ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the Vatican. By asking cardinals and other high-ranking officials to share the burden of deficit reduction, he is leading by example and laying the groundwork for potential sacrifices from other senior Vatican officials.
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Frequently asked questions
Cardinals are high-ranking officials of the Catholic Church and their salaries vary depending on their location and position. Cardinals working at the Vatican received a monthly stipend of about 5,000 euros (approximately $5,500) before Pope Francis reduced their salaries by 10% in March 2021. This means that their current monthly salary is around 4,500 euros or $4,950.
Pope Francis explained that the salary reduction was necessary due to the financial crisis faced by the Vatican, which was worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic and the decline in revenue from tourism and donations. The measure aimed to promote transparency, economic austerity, and equalize conditions with clergy in poorer countries.
No, the salary cuts only applied to cardinals serving as heads of the Vatican's departments in Rome and other high-ranking officials of the Roman Curia. Cardinals outside the Curia were not affected by this measure.
