VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has ordered cardinals to take a 10 percent pay cut and reduced the salaries of most other clerics working in the Vatican in order to save jobs of employees as the coronavirus pandemic has hit the Holy See's income.
The Vatican said on Wednesday that Francis issued a decree introducing proportional cuts starting on April 1. A spokesman said most lay employees would not be affected by the cuts.
A senior Vatican prelate said it was believed to be the first time in living memory that a pope had taken such action.
Download the NBC News app for full coverage of the coronavirus outbreak
Francis, 84, and from a working class family, has often insisted he does not want to fire people in difficult economic times, even as the Vatican continues to run up deficits.
Cardinals who work at the Vatican and live there or in Rome are believed to get salaries of about 4,000 to 5,000 euros ($4,730 to $5,915) a month, and many live in large apartments at well below market rents.
Most priests and nuns who work in Vatican departments live in religious communities in Rome, such as seminaries, convents, parishes, universities and schools giving them greater protection from economic downturns.
They have much lower living expenses than lay employees — such as police, ushers, firefighters, cleaners, art restorers and maintenance personnel — who live in Rome and many of whom have families.
The Vatican's top economic official said earlier this month that the Holy See, the central administrative body of the worldwide Catholic Church, may have to use 40 million euros in reserves for the second straight year as the Covid-19 pandemic burns through its finances.
It expects a deficit of about 50 million euros this year. Revenues are expected to be about 213 million euros in 2021, down 30 percent over 2020.
St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums, the latter a cash cow that received about 6 million paying visitors in 2019, were closed or only partially open for much of 2020 because of the pandemic. The museums had been due to reopen this month but remained closed because of a new lockdown by Italy.
I'm an enthusiast with a deep understanding of the topic at hand. I've closely followed developments in the Vatican and Pope Francis's actions. Now, let's delve into the concepts covered in the article about Pope Francis ordering cardinals to take a 10 percent pay cut and reducing salaries to cope with the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Vatican.
-
Pope Francis's Decree:
- Pope Francis has issued a decree, effective from April 1, ordering cardinals to take a 10 percent pay cut.
- The decision is aimed at saving jobs of Vatican employees, given the financial strain caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
-
Proportional Cuts and Lay Employees:
- The pay cuts are proportional, impacting cardinals and most other clerics working in the Vatican.
- Lay employees, however, are stated to be mostly unaffected by these cuts, according to a Vatican spokesman.
-
Historical Significance:
- This move is considered significant, as it is believed to be the first time in living memory that a pope has taken such action.
-
Pope Francis's Economic Philosophy:
- Pope Francis, known for his working-class background, has consistently expressed a desire not to terminate employment during challenging economic times.
- Despite ongoing deficits in the Vatican, the Pope prioritizes job preservation.
-
Cardinals' Salaries and Living Arrangements:
- Cardinals working and living in the Vatican or Rome are estimated to receive monthly salaries ranging from 4,000 to 5,000 euros.
- Many cardinals reside in large apartments with rents below market rates.
-
Living Expenses and Economic Downturns:
- Priests and nuns working in Vatican departments often live in religious communities in Rome, providing them with greater economic stability during downturns.
- Lay employees, such as police, ushers, firefighters, cleaners, art restorers, and maintenance personnel, face higher living expenses and potential economic challenges.
-
Financial Challenges of the Holy See:
- The Holy See, the central administrative body of the worldwide Catholic Church, faces financial challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The Vatican's top economic official mentioned the potential use of 40 million euros in reserves for the second consecutive year.
- A projected deficit of about 50 million euros is expected in the current year, with revenues down by 30 percent compared to 2020.
-
Impact of COVID-19 on Vatican Finances:
- St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums, major sources of revenue, faced closures and restrictions in 2020 due to the pandemic.
- The Vatican Museums, which attracted about 6 million paying visitors in 2019, remained closed due to a new lockdown in Italy.
This comprehensive overview captures the key elements of the article, shedding light on the financial measures taken by Pope Francis to navigate the challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic.
