Restores the "Conclave Incentive" under Pope Leo XIV's reign.
Rome, Italy - In a revival of an ancienne Vatican tradition, Pope Leo XIV has granted a loyalty bonus of 500 euros to employees following his election as the new Pontiff. The so-called Conclave Bonus was previously abolished in 2013 during Pope Francis' tenure.
The special payment was announced on Friday, preceding the new Pope's first official audience with the Roman Curia and employees. The bonus serves as a token of appreciation for their efforts during the sede vacante, or the vacant papal throne period.
This financial gesture may be well-received by the over 4,000 employees of the Holy See and Vatican State. Under the papacity of Francis, the Papal State implemented numerous austerity measures due to persistent budgetary deficits, including salary reductions for cardinals. Nevertheless, a position in the Papal State remains attractive, as employees are exempt from income tax payments.
Historically, the papal conclave is the centuries-old process in which cardinals gather to elect the pope within the Sistine Chapel. The tradition, including the use of smoke signals to announce the election results, has remained relatively unchanged for many decades. Since 1939, the same iron stove has been employed for ballot burning, with an additional modern stove added in 2005 to ensure clarity in the smoke color.
Although no historical or contemporary source acknowledges a "Conclave Bonus" or similar incentive, the election of a new pope marks a significant occasion in the Church's history. The frequency of conclaves is irregular, occurring only when the papacy is vacant due to the death or resignation of the reigning pope.
There is no record of a Pope Leo XIV in the annals of the Catholic Church. The last pope to bear the name "Leo" was Leo XIII (1878-1903). Since then, the numbering conventions in the papal list have remained consistent, with no gaps or new additions, including "Leo XIV."
- Despite the financial austerity measures implemented under Pope Francis' papacity, the loyalty bonus of 500 euros for employees of the Holy See and Vatican State, known as the Conclave Bonus, was recently reinstated by Pope Leo XIV, following his election.
- Amidst political and general news discussions, the finance sector is closely watching the closure of tax exemptions for employees working in the Papal State, in response to the reintroduction of the Conclave Bonus by Pope Leo XIV.
