VATICAN CITY — The Roman Catholic Church has elected its newest leader, and for the first time in history, the papal office will be held by an American. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, officially assumed the papacy after white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signaling his election by the College of Cardinals.
Alongside the spiritual and symbolic responsibilities of leading the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics, the role of pope also comes with substantial material benefits — including a monthly salary of €30,000 (approximately $33,800), amounting to over $400,000 annually.
The six-figure paycheck aligns the pontiff’s earnings with some of the highest-paid global leaders, including U.S. presidents and top university executives. However, unlike most heads of state, the pope enjoys a range of unique privileges: access to the iconic Popemobile, round-the-clock security, a private chef, unlimited free meals, and even a personal pharmacy inside Vatican City.
According to Daniel Rober, a professor of Catholic studies at Sacred Heart University, the pontiff’s compensation reflects the administrative and diplomatic demands of the position — which includes governing the Vatican, overseeing Catholic doctrine, and representing the Church on the world stage.
Still, the papal role is ultimately a spiritual one. The late Pope Francis famously rejected his papal salary, choosing instead to have it redirected to charitable causes. It remains to be seen whether Pope Leo XIV will follow suit or accept the full benefits of the office.
