Pope Francis has made a courageous decision to address the Vatican budget deficit: asking the cardinals to “tighten their belts”. In a letter sent by the Prefect for the Economy, Maximino Caballero Ledo, the Pontiff ordered the suspension of Bonus for the Secretariat and of theOffice allowanceitems that until now enriched the monthly emoluments of the cardinals of the Curia.
Caballero Ledo’s message is clear: these measures are part of a plan of interventions that “will require everyone’s contribution”. The Vatican, in fact, is not immune to global economic difficulties, and the Pope is looking for solutions that directly involve the main collaborators of the College of Cardinals.
Starting in November, the Cardinals’ paychecks will be lighter. The reduction in salaries, which will affect around thirty cardinals with positions in dicasteries, will also concern those who receive a maximum salary of 5 thousand euros per month. This is in fact the average salary of a cardinal of the Curia, including various benefits. This figure can vary based on various factors, but in general cardinals who hold positions in the Roman Curia fall within this compensation range.
The decision fits into a broader context. Last week, Pope Francis had already warned the approximately 200 members of the College of Cardinals that a spending review was on the way. The Pontiff had also urged the heads of departments to optimize the functioning of their structures, to reduce the burden on common coffers and encourage more responsible management of resources.
This initiative is also a concrete sign of the spirit of service that the Pope asks of his closest collaborators. It’s not just about numbers, but an invitation to experience essentiality as a value. The reduction in salaries is symbolic of a greater need for sobriety, which characterizes the entire pontificate of Pope Francis, always aimed at a poorer Church and at the service of the weakest.
