Pope rules against special bonus for Vatican employees
April 18, 2013
In a break with tradition, Pope Francis has decided not to issue a special bonus to Vatican employees at the beginning of his pontificate.
It has been customary for Vatican workers to receive a bonus at the end of a pontificate, as a parting gift from the former Pope, and at the beginning of the new pontificate. In 2005, Vatican employees were given a €1,000 bonus after the death of Pope John Paul II, and another €500 bonus after the inauguration of Pope Benedict XVI. At the time, the value of the two bonus payments was about $1,900.
However, the Vatican announced on April 18 that in light of current budget shortfalls, Pope Francis has decided that “it didn’t seem possible or appropriate” to award a similar bonus to each of the 4,500 people working at the Vatican.
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Further information:
- Frugal Pope Nixes Bonus for Vatican Employees (VIS)
- Vatican employees receive bonus pay as new pontificate begins (CWN, 5/2/05)
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