What will Pope Leo XIV’s salary be? What other perks will he get?

Ever thought about how much a pope gets paid? Or what kind of perks come with the role?

Cardinal Robert Prevost, who was born in Chicago, has taken the name Pope Leo XIV . At 69, he became the first pope from the United States.

The pope is followed by over a billion Catholics worldwide, leads a country of his own, and is one of the most well-known figures across the globe.

Interestingly, during his tenure as head of the Church from 2013 to 2025, Pope Francis chose not to draw any personal income. He was known for his simple lifestyle and refusal to embrace luxury.

In this explainer, we explore what popes usually earn and what benefits come with the job.

Here’s a look:

How much will Pope Leo XIV be paid?

Pope Leo XIV is expected to receive a monthly salary of $33,000 (over Rs 28 lakh), according to a report by Fortune.

This puts his pay in the same league as US presidents and top university heads. But the pope also gets other unique benefits – free meals around the clock, access to the Popemobile, a personal pharmacy, and more, the report added.

Daniel Rober, who teaches Catholic studies at Sacred Heart University, told the magazine that the pope’s salary is around $33,800 a month, or roughly $405,600 (Rs 3.44 crore) a year.

It remains unclear whether Pope Leo XIV will choose to accept this salary. If he does, he would be earning as much as some of the world’s most powerful leaders.

Regardless of his decision, he will still have access to all the traditional benefits – from the Popemobile to a well-supported retirement.

Historically, popes have not drawn large salaries. The Vatican instead offers a life where most needs are taken care of.

Accommodation is usually provided at the grand Apostolic Palace. However, Pope Francis famously chose to live in the simpler Domus Sanctae Marthae guesthouse within Vatican City.

The Vatican’s income comes from a mix of donations, investment earnings, tourism, and museum ticket sales.

One of its well-known sources of funding is Peter’s Pence – an annual offering collected from Catholics worldwide, bringing in about £20 million each year. The largest shares come from the US, Germany, and Italy.

Still, despite its image, the Vatican’s finances have long faced challenges. Things worsened during the pandemic, leading Pope Francis to approve major pay cuts in 2021.

Cardinals, who previously earned between €4,000 (Rs 3.77 lakh) and €5,500 (Rs 5.19 lakh) a month, saw a 10 per cent cut. Bishops now earn around €3,000 (Rs 2.83 lakh), while regular priests in Rome make about €1,200 (Rs 1.13 lakh) per month, according to Daily Mail.

Monks and nuns, who usually take vows of poverty, do not receive salaries unless they take up administrative roles within the Church.

What other perks is Pope Leo XIV eligible for?

The pope does not have to pay for meals or daily essentials. Everything he needs is taken care of, including access to hand-stitched robes made by the best religious tailors.

Pope Leo XIV will be able to use the Popemobile, private cars, and a range of other vehicles whenever required.

He will not have to worry about his safety, health, or future. The Vatican provides medical care through its own health services and private pharmacy to support the pope throughout his time in office.

If he decides to step down one day, he would still receive a monthly pension of $3,300 (Rs 2.80 lakh), Fortune reported.

And it goes beyond just savings – the Vatican will continue to take care of his living arrangements, food, and housekeeping. He will be given a residence within the Vatican and will not need to spend on any daily needs.

Pope Leo XIV will also receive traditional symbols of his role, including a $520,000 ring, rare papal regalia, an extensive estate, and gold jewellery, according to Daily Mail.

At his upcoming inauguration mass, he will be presented with the pallium, a sacred vestment in the Catholic Church.

He will also receive the Fisherman’s Ring, a key piece of papal jewellery that symbolises his new position.

Will the Chicago-born pope have to pay taxes?

The US generally requires all its citizens, including those living abroad, to file an annual tax return.

Unless Pope Leo XIV renounces his US citizenship, he will face unique tax considerations due to his position as both a clergyman and the leader of a foreign nation.

Notably, his situation is different from that of previous popes, as many countries do not tax their citizens living overseas, The Washington Post reported.

Americans residing in foreign countries can often exclude a portion of their earnings from US taxes. However, this exemption does not apply to income earned from working for a foreign government.

This means that Pope Leo would still be liable for US taxes as an employee of the Vatican, the report added.

If Americans living outside of the country pay taxes to a foreign government, they can subtract those payments from their US tax bill using the foreign tax credit.

This could have applied to Pope Leo when he lived and worked in Peru, which taxes full-year residents on all global income.