Pope Leo XIV, First American Pontiff, Receives No Salary; Vatican Covers €14 Million in Annual Expenses

Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost and aged 69, was elected as the new head of the Roman Catholic Church on May 8, 2025. Despite his position, the Pope does not receive a traditional salary or personal income. Instead, all of his living expenses—including housing, food, healthcare, travel, and security—are fully covered by the Vatican, with estimated annual expenses of around €14 million. This arrangement continues the precedent set by his predecessor, Pope Francis, and reflects the tradition of papal simplicity. While cardinals typically earn between €4,000 and €5,500 per month and bishops around €3,000, the Pope is not on the Vatican payroll. Previous estimates suggest a theoretical papal salary could be about €2,500 per month, but this is not paid. The Pope also does not pay personal taxes. Pope Leo XIV, the first American to hold the office, has access to official residences, vehicles, and a fund for charitable donations. He administers charity funds, such as Peter's Pence, which raises about €23 million annually, with the largest donors being the United States, Germany, and Italy. The Vatican's finances rely on donations, tourism, investments, and property income. In 2023, the Vatican reported an operating deficit of €83.5 million, and its pension fund faces a deficit estimated at €1.5 billion. Past popes' net worth is generally tied to the assets and services provided by the Vatican rather than personal wealth.