Pope marks 71st birthday; Vatican employees receive gifts in celebration.
Pope Leo XIV, marking his 71st birthday on Monday, provided a significant development for Vatican employees by announcing the repeal of salary cuts that had been implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. These cuts, originally initiated by Pope Francis in 2021, were part of broader cost-saving measures aimed at addressing a challenging financial landscape for the Holy See.
In an official decree, Pope Leo XIV expressed confidence that the financial constraints imposed during the pandemic could now be eased, emphasizing the Vatican’s commitment to maintaining economic stability. The previously unpopular measures included a 10% reduction in pay for cardinals and smaller cuts for heads of offices, along with the freezing of biennial pay raises for senior lay employees, although lower-ranking staff continued to receive annual raises.
The motivation behind the salary cuts was rooted in the Vatican’s struggle with a structural deficit, then projected to be approximately €70 million, alongside a significant shortfall in its pension fund, estimated at €1 billion (approximately .14 billion). These fiscal challenges were exacerbated by the prolonged closure of the Vatican Museums during the pandemic, depriving the institution of a crucial revenue source and further impacting its finances due to fluctuating investments and currency values.
Pope Leo XIV, a former superior general of the Augustinian Order and an individual well-versed in financial matters, has pursued a different approach since assuming the papacy. In recent remarks, he shared that the Vatican’s financial position was not as dire as initially believed and acknowledged the reforms enacted by his predecessor.
Additionally, in a separate decree published on his birthday, Leo rescinded plans laid out by Pope Francis to relocate portions of the Vatican’s secret archives and library holdings to a pontifical university nearby. This change arose from concerns about space limitations in the current storage locations, which include a vast underground facility. Leo announced plans for a new building to be constructed on an existing parking lot within Vatican City, intended to house valuable resources that include ancient manuscripts and extensive archival collections.
On this special day, Leo visited the Vatican Apostolic Library, noting the personal significance of connecting with the library’s staff since his mother had dedicated her career to librarianship. During the visit, he inaugurated an exhibition themed around water, which is the first in a five-year cycle titled “Catastrophe and Marvel.” This exhibition features an impressive wave sculpture created by French artist JR, affixed to the library’s facade.
The Vatican Apostolic Library remains open for scholarly research, and a small exhibition space is accessible to the public with prior reservations. Pope Leo XIV’s initiatives signal a shift toward stability and rejuvenation within the Vatican’s financial and cultural institutions, aligning with his commitment to fostering growth and retention of the Holy See’s significant historical resources.
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