Pope gives bonus to employees with three or more children January 16, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Marriage & Family Life, News, Vatican, World News VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis personally decided that employees of Vatican City State who have three or more children will receive a monthly bonus, the Vatican announced. As of Jan. 1, it said, the monthly bonus of 300 euros (about $310) will be paid to employees who have three or more children under the age of 18; the age limit increases to 24 if the son or daughter is enrolled in a university or other studies. The announcement published Jan. 16 by the governor’s office of Vatican City State mentioned the bonus only for its employees, not those of the Roman Curia. The governor’s office oversees those who work in the Vatican Museums, the gardeners, trash collectors, firefighters, police and post office employees as well as those who work for the Vatican health service and pharmacy. In addition to the bonus, Pope Francis extended the paid leave of new fathers from three days to five days. The paternity leave can be taken when a child is born, adopted or fostered, it said. The announcement said the bonus, “a personal initiative of the Holy Father,” was communicated to Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, president of the commission governing Vatican City State, and Franciscan Sister of the Eucharist Raffaella Petrini, secretary-general of the governing office, during an audience in December. Pope Francis has asked the world’s cardinals to help reduce the Vatican deficit, he cut allowances paid to the cardinals who head Vatican offices and, in 2021, approved pay cuts for cardinals, clergy, religious and upper management officials who work in the Roman Curia and other Vatican entities. In addition, from 2021 to 2023 he put into effect a freeze on regular salary increases for all but the lowest-paid employees. Read More Vatican News Papal trip put spotlight on local injustices, joy of Christian faith, pope says ANALYSIS: Will President Donald Trump’s criticism of Pope Leo XIV have electoral implications? Anglicans, Catholics must work to overcome differences, pope tells archbishop of Canterbury Pope Leo XIV advances sainthood causes, including Dutch nun who served in Missouri Pope Leo’s October meeting on marriage, family gains urgency amid declining birth rates in West Radio Interview: Pope Leo XIV’s biographer shares insights on the Augustinian who became pope Copyright © 2025 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Print
