- Pope Leo XIV has been elected because the chief of the Roman Catholic Church, and the job comes with a $33,000 month-to-month paycheck. That pay stacks as much as the salaries of U.S. presidents and college chancellors—however the pontiff additionally will get distinctive perks like free meals all day, a Popemobile, his personal non-public pharmacy and extra.
Shortly after white smoke billowed out of the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, the Roman Catholic Church named its subsequent pope: Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, the primary American to take the job. Not solely is it an enormous honor and promotion—however it additionally comes with a large six-figure wage.
The pope is awarded a lavish wage of €30,000 (about $33,800) monthly, or about $405,600 yearly, in response to Daniel Rober, a professor of Catholic research at Sacred Coronary heart College.
Nonetheless, turning into the pope is a way more non secular endeavor than different high-flying management roles; the late Pope Francis even turned down the beneficiant paycheck, opting to have the cash donated to these in want as an alternative.
“He’s somebody who lived as a Jesuit for decades before becoming a bishop and continued to live in the style that he’s been accustomed to as a religious throughout the rest of his life,” Rober instructed Fortune.
There’s no telling if Pope Leo XIV will settle for the wage—but when he does, he might be making as a lot as a few of the world’s strongest leaders. Both approach, he’ll nonetheless be having fun with Vatican perks just like the Popemobile and a soft retirement.
The pope earns simply as a lot as U.S. presidents and college chancellors
The pope’s almost half-a-million paypacket is on par with the wages of U.S. presidents.
Authorities leaders obtain a $400,000 baseline wage, with a minimum of one other $170,000 per 12 months in extra allowances for official duties, journey, and leisure. The president additionally has entry to Air Drive One, Marine One, and 24-hour Secret Service safety—saving them hundreds per 12 months in different expenditures.
One other institutional management job that pays within the ballpark of the pope is U.S. college chancellors. The presidents of America’s elite colleges may even earn a base pay of as much as $1.5 million yearly—far increased than the president or pope. However often, the wage vary for chancellors is between $250,000 to $372,000 yearly. The presidents of Northwestern College, College of Vermont, and Purdue College all reportedly rake in a base pay near the pontiff at round $400,000.
However generally, the perks transcend the pay for a high-profile place. Elon Musk has had a baseline wage of $0 for a few years—however he will get billions in inventory compensation for hitting milestones, and has a fleet of personal jets and safety paid for by his corporations. Mark Zuckerberg’s baseline wage has additionally been $1 yearly since 2013 with no bonus, however his $211 billion empire has grown by way of Alphabet inventory.
The opposite perks that include being pope: A non-public pharmacy and $3,300 month-to-month retirement fund
The pope is revered as the best and most holiest chief of the Catholic Church, which has over a billion members. And the Vatican makes positive the pontiff can lead in model.
For one, the pope often lives within the gilded Apostolic Palace—lavish dwelling preparations with all bills lined by the Vatican. All of his meals and day-to-day requirements are additionally freed from cost for the pope, with unfettered entry to customized, hand-tailored regalia made by prime non secular outfitters.
Pope Leo XIV will even have entry to the Popemobile, non-public vehicles, and a fleet of autos on the drop of a hat. The pontiff additionally doesn’t have to fret about safety, healthcare, or retirement anymore. He has free entry to Vatican medical providers and a non-public pharmacy to make sure a wholesome, lengthy reign.
And even after the pope chooses to retire, he would obtain a month-to-month pension of €2,500 ($3,300). However there’s extra past a stacked financial savings account—the Vatican will cowl the dwelling bills, present a house contained in the Vatican, pay for all day by day requirements together with meals and housekeeping.
This story was initially featured on Fortune.com
