Pope Leo XIV Revokes Pandemic Era Salary Cuts for Cardinals and Curia

Pope Leo XIV has issued a motu proprio to revoke the salary reductions imposed by his predecessor, Pope Francis, in March 2021. The original measures were implemented to address the economic crisis caused by the COVID 19 pandemic and the closure of the Vatican Museums. The new decree, which takes effect on September 1, 2026, officially abolishes the 10 percent pay cut for cardinals of the Curia. It also removes the 8 percent reduction for high ranking officials, such as heads and secretaries of dicasteries, and the 3 percent cut for clerics and religious personnel.

Pope Leo XIV stated that while the containment measures were necessary to face the exceptional challenge of the pandemic, they can now be overcome. He noted that the decision followed the expert opinion of the Secretariat for the Economy. However, the decree specifies that the effects produced while the previous rules were in force remain unchanged. This includes the freezing of biennial seniority raises for staff, which originally excluded the lowest paid employees.

Financial data indicates a recovery for the Holy See. In 2024, the Vatican recorded a surplus of 1.6 million euros, compared to a deficit of 51.2 million euros in 2023. This improvement is attributed to increased donations and better financial results. In a separate announcement, Pope Leo XIV also ordered the construction of a new building for the Vatican Apostolic Library and the Vatican Apostolic Archive, designating the area of the Fontana dell Autoparco for the project.