Vatican to Restore Clergy Salaries Reduced During COVID-19, No Retroactive Pay

Pope Leo XIV Issues Motu Proprio: "Exceptional Measures During the Pandemic"
Pope Francis Reduced Cardinals' Salaries by 10 Percent in 2021

The Vatican will reverse the clergy salary reduction measures implemented after the COVID-19 pandemic. However, salaries reduced during the period of the cuts will not be paid retroactively.

On September 14 (local time), the Vatican announced that Pope Leo XIV has issued a Motu Proprio, a papal document declaring the abolishment of the clergy salary reduction. A Motu Proprio is a document written and issued directly by the Pope to address special or urgent matters within the Church.

Yonhap News Agency

Pope Leo XIV stated that the salary reduction measures at the time were "necessary responses to the exceptional challenge of the pandemic," adding that "the Vatican can now continue its efforts for economic sustainability through different means."

Previously, Pope Francis, in response to worsening Vatican finances caused by COVID-19, cut clergy salaries in March 2021 to address the financial crisis. At that time, the salaries of cardinals affiliated with the Vatican were reduced by 10 percent, and similar salary reduction measures were applied to other clergy members.

With this Motu Proprio, clergy salaries will return to levels prior to the salary cuts. However, salaries previously reduced during the period of the cuts will not be paid retroactively.

Pope Leo XIV stated that "the letter in the form of a Motu Proprio issued in March 2021 will be revoked, but the effects that occurred at that time will remain."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.