Pope Francis ordered a 10% reduction in the salaries of cardinals, 8% of heads and secretaries in dicasteries (Vatican ministries) and 3% of religious salaries, while maintaining the salaries of the laity, given the economic situation dragged by the state.
It is about “taking measures to limit the costs for the staff of the Holy See, the Governorate of the Vatican State and other related organizations” with a Motu proprio, a document signed by the pontiff, published today.
The Pope explains that, “as a result of the health emergency caused by the spread of Covid-19, which negatively affected all sources of income of the Holy See and the state of the Vatican City,” he decided to reduce salaries to, above all , guarantees all jobs.
Therefore, starting with April 1, the remuneration of cardinals working in the Holy See is reduced by 10% compared to the last salary paid, while the reduction is 8% for those who have the function of superior and 3% for ecclesiastical and religious .
Also in the period between April 1, 2021 and March 31, 2023, the accumulation of two-year seniority bonuses is suspended, except for lay employees from the first to the third level of the ladder, ie lower salaries.
These provisions, in addition to all the workers of the Curia, the Governorate (Vatican City Government) and other related entities, also apply to the Vicariate of Rome, the Papal Basilicas of St. Peter in the Vatican, St. John of Letrán and Santa María la Mayor, and the Fabrica San Pedro and the Basilica of San Pablo outside the walls.
The recent Holy See budget approved for 2021 will be the most restrictive in the recent history of the Holy See, and despite this, almost 50 million in debt is expected.
The head of the economy secretariat, Vatican finance minister Juan Antonio Guerrero Alves, recently explained that a major adjustment plan has been implemented with a total reduction in expected expenditure of 8% and stressed that “protection of jobs and wages it was a priority. “
If in 2019 the revenue was 307 million euros, this year it will be 30 percent less, 213 million, he stressed, while the data for 2020 are still awaited.