After the Pope or the head of the Catholic Church, there is more than one billion people worldwide. He is also the leader of the Vatican state and has had a significant impact on global geopolitical affairs. But, does all of this translate into heavy paychecks?
After the Pope or the head of the Catholic Church, there is more than one billion people worldwide. He is also the leader of the Vatican state and has had a significant impact on global affairs. But, does all of this translate into heavy paychecks? Have you ever thought about the monetary gains of being a pope? Let us briefly tell you about the salary and other allowances for becoming a pope.
The Pope’s Privileges
According to a Fortune report, Pope Leo XIV (formerly known as Cardinal Robert Prevost) earns $33,000 (over Rs 2.8 lakh). This means that Pope Leo, the first American pope ever, will receive similar incomes to the US president.
But this is not the case, and the Pope has the right to obtain various other privileges for the highest work. These include access to a special car called Popemobile, a personal pharmacy and free meals throughout the day. In fact, the Vatican states have to take care of almost everything the pope might need.
A humble choice
Historically, most popes chose not to raise their salary. For example, Pope Leo’s popular predecessor Francis did not earn any personal income. It is not clear whether Pope Leo will accept the wages provided.
Vatican’s source of income
Even after the Pope stepped down, he was entitled to a monthly pension of US$3,300 (Rs 2.8 lakh) while continuing to support his accommodation, food and housekeeping.
The Vatican is a small country in the Italian city of Rome, drawing most of its revenue from foreign donations, investments, tourism and museum ticket sales.
