Pope Leo ends COVID-era salary cuts for cardinals and senior Vatican officials

Pope Leo XIV has repealed the salary reductions for cardinals and senior Vatican officials that were originally implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. The papal decree, which the Vatican published on Sept. 14, ends the cost-saving measures introduced by Pope Francis in March 2021.

The previous measures reduced the salaries of cardinals serving in the Curia by 10%. Additionally, employees of the Holy See, the Vatican Governorate, and related institutions in salary grades C and C1, such as heads and secretaries of dicasteries, saw an 8% reduction, while a general 3% reduction was also applied.

In his decree, Pope Leo noted that while the previous salary-containment measures were necessary to address the pandemic, the institutions of the Holy See and Vatican City State can now ensure economic sustainability through other means. He stated that he made the decision after consulting the Secretariat for the Economy. These provisions had previously undergone a partial amendment in June 2025.