Little more than two weeks after the death of Pope Francis, 133 voters of the cardinals will meet this Wednesday in the Sistine Chapel to designate the new Sovereign Pontiff.
The one who is victorious of this conclave will have the heavy burden of directing and representing the Catholic Church. A mission that will exercise until the end of his life (except resignation) and without remuneration. The Pope does not receive any salary and, therefore, does not pay taxes, but all his personal costs (food, travel, rent, illness …) are covered by the city of Vatican.
Copyright, gifts sold …
If the Vatican does not remunerate him as sovereign pontiff, however, he can receive other income. Such as copyright.
The penultimate Pope, Benoît XVI, received income from the sale of his books, whose amount was estimated at 5 million euros in 2010, five years after his choice. A sum that has been used to finance the Joseph Ratzinger-Benoît XVI Vatican Foundation.
But who had finally decided to give up his mission in 2013 also had the right to compensation of 2,500 euros per month, as indicated The repubblica, As bishop emeritus of Rome. It was a kind of monthly retirement “of the old Pope” for the late Joseph Ratzinger.
For his part, Jorge Bergoglio (the late Pope Francis) had rejected the papal apartment in the Apostolic Palace, preferring the Domus Sanctae Marthae more sober, residence of the Vatican reserved for guest prelates.
François was also known for reselling all the gifts he received and dedicating the result of these sales that abound Saint-Pierre’s denial to charitable works often in favor of the poorest. In 2018, he had significantly sold a Lamborghini offered by the Italian manufacturer 715,000 euros. Four years earlier, Harley-Davidson of the Pope was also auctioned in Paris for 241,500 euros.
How much do the cardinals perceive?
Unlike the Pope, the cardinals are paid and this up to 4,000 to 5,000 euros per month. These senior dignitaries of the Catholic Church saw their remuneration fall by 10% in 2021 by decision of Pope Francis who sought sources of savings against the delicate financial situation of the Vatican. As in November 2023, when its remuneration amounted to 5,500 euros
The remuneration of the other members of the curia was reduced by 8% and that of the religious and priests in service in the Holy See by 3%.
On the bishop’s side, remuneration is even lower with a roof of 3,000 euros per month, but most receive a salary of 1,500 euros, net taxes for those residing in Italy. Finally on the side of the priests, the salary is around 1,200 euros per month, less than the minimum monthly monthly salary in France.
Source: BFM TV
