Pope Leo XIV repeals Vatican salary cuts and orders new library building

Pope Leo XIV has issued a papal decree, known as a ‘Motu proprio’, to permanently repeal the salary restrictions imposed by Pope Francis in March 2021. These measures were originally implemented to address the economic challenges and structural deficits exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which had significantly impacted Vatican revenues, particularly through the closure of the Vatican Museums.

The repeal restores full compensation to cardinals, who had faced a 10% reduction. It also reverses cuts for other high-ranking officials, including an 8% reduction for department heads and secretaries, and a 3% reduction for various clergy and religious personnel. Additionally, the freeze on biennial seniority-based pay raises for senior lay employees is lifted. The decree is retroactive to September 1, 2026, though it does not include reimbursement for past reductions.

In a separate announcement coinciding with his 71st birthday, Pope Leo XIV also ordered the construction of a new building to house the Vatican Apostolic Library and the Apostolic Archive. This project aims to accommodate the growing collection of documents and books. The new facility will be built in the ‘Fontana dell’Autoparco’ area within Vatican City and will be funded by a newly established Vatican foundation.