Reinstated "Conclave Incentive" by Pope Leo XIV
Pope Leo XIV has reinstated a longstanding tradition within the Vatican, awarding employees a "Conclave Bonus" of 500 euros in recognition of the new Pontiff's election. Originally abolished in 2013 during the tenure of Pope Francis, this monetary gesture, long known by the Vatican community, was re-established on May 24, 2025.
According to reports from Italian news agency ANSA, the decision was made on Friday, just prior to the new Pope's first official audience with the Roman Curia and staff. The bonus, offered as a token of appreciation for their efforts during the sede vacante (the vacant throne's period), aims to express gratitude for their diligent work.
The reintroduction of the bonus is expected to elicit a favorable response among the more than 4,000 employees of the Holy See and the Vatican State. Under Pope Francis' leadership, the Church State was compelled to implement a series of austerity measures to address persistent budget deficits, which culminated in salary cuts for cardinals. Despite these austerity measures, a job within the Vatican is still considered an attractive prospect, due in part to employees' exemption from income tax.
[1] Source: Italian news agency ANSA
The reintroduced Conclave Bonus, amounting to 500 euros, is a gesture from Pope Leo XIV that acknowledges the hard work of employees in the Vatican's business and finance sectors, aligning their industry with the Church State's renewed recognition. The bonus's reinstatement is expected to enhance employee morale and reinstate the Vatican as a desirable employer, despite the austerity measures previously implemented during Pope Francis' tenure.
