How Much Does the Pope Get Paid?
With Robert Francis Prevost becoming the first American pope, many wonder: how much does the Pope actually earn?
The surprising answer: the Pope doesn’t receive a traditional salary. Instead, the Vatican covers all his needs—housing, food, transport, healthcare, and security. Though estimates suggest he could be paid around €2,500 ($2,650) per month, this is more of a stipend than a true wage.
Like Pope Francis before him, Pope Leo XIV is expected to live simply and focus on service, not wealth. Francis, known for his frugality, refused a salary and directed resources to charitable causes—once donating $215,000 to prisoners in Rome.
Is the Pope wealthy? Not personally. While the Pope has access to vast resources—including property, vehicles, and charitable funds—these belong to the Church, not to him personally. Estimates place Francis’s net worth at up to $12 million, largely tied to these privileges.
The Vatican itself is funded by global donations, museum income, and tourism. In 2013, it earned $315 million and spent $348 million.
In short, while the Pope doesn’t get a paycheck, he leads a life rich in purpose, not profit.