When news broke that Robert Francis Prevost would become the first American pope, many wondered what this meant for both the Church and his lifestyle. One big question: does the Pope get paid?
Surprisingly, the Pope doesn’t earn a traditional salary. Instead, the Vatican covers all his needs—housing, food, healthcare, travel, and security—essentially offering a fully funded life. While technically eligible for a modest stipend (around €2,500/month), Pope Leo XIV, like his predecessors, is expected to live simply.
Following Pope Francis’s example, known for rejecting luxury, Leo XIV is likely to embrace a life of humility. Francis once auctioned off a $950,000 Lamborghini gift, donating the proceeds to charity, and chose a modest Vatican guesthouse over the grand Apostolic Palace.
Though not salaried, the Pope has access to significant resources—estimates put Pope Francis’s net worth at up to $12 million, largely from assets used to serve the Church’s mission. For example, Francis donated $215,000 to help prisoners in Rome.
The Vatican is funded through global donations, tourism, and museum revenue. In 2013, its revenue was about $315 million, but recent years have brought financial strain, including a $90 million deficit in 2023. Francis addressed this with clergy pay cuts in 2021 to promote transparency.
Ultimately, while the papacy offers immense resources, it’s a role rooted in service, not wealth—and Pope Leo XIV is expected to continue that tradition.