Newly Elected Pope Leo XIV’s Salary Has Been Revealed — and It’s Not What You’d Expect

Following the passing of Pope Francis last month at age 88, many were left wondering who would step into one of the most significant roles in the world — the head of the Roman Catholic Church.

On May 8, the Vatican announced that Cardinal Robert Prevost, 69, had been chosen as the new pontiff, taking the papal name Pope Leo XIV. In doing so, he made history as the first American pope ever elected.

With a new leader at the helm, questions about the role — and the paycheck — quickly followed.

But as it turns out, being pope doesn’t come with a flashy salary. In fact, the Pope doesn’t earn a typical income at all. Instead, the Vatican covers all of his basic needs — housing, meals, healthcare, transportation, and security.

Technically, the Pope is entitled to a symbolic monthly salary of around $2,500, though Pope Leo, like Pope Francis before him, has declined to accept it, choosing instead to donate it to charitable causes.

Even so, Pope Francis’s net worth — factoring in assets, personal items, and services paid for by the Vatican — was estimated to be around $12 million at the time of his death.

So where does the Vatican get its money? The tiny, independent city-state relies on a mix of donations, investment income, tourism, and the popular Vatican Museums to fund its operations.

One of its most well-known income sources is Peter’s Pence, a global annual collection from Catholics around the world. The biggest contributors? Germany, Italy, and the United States.

As Pope Leo XIV begins his papacy, his choice to decline a salary continues a tradition of humility — and raises curiosity about how he’ll shape the Church in the years to come.