Pope Leo XIV’s surprising salary revealed as he’s handed most powerful job on earth at inauguration
If you've just been given the most powerful job in the world, you'd expect an eye-watering salary to match.
But ahead of Pope Leo XIV's inaugural Mass earlier today (18 May), it was widely reported that he won't be receiving a salary... well, in the traditional sense.
Earlier this month (8 May), Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected as the head of the world’s 1.4 billion-member church.
The Chicago-born pontiff, 69, who spent his career ministering in Peru, became the first North American pope in the church’s 2,000-year history.
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And on Sunday, an estimated 200,000 pilgrims, presidents, and princes attended his inauguration in St Peter’s Square in Vatican City, Rome.
As is the case with many popes, they tend to promote the most positive of messages and address global conflicts.
“I would like that our first great desire be for a united church, a sign of unity and communion, which becomes a leaven for a reconciled world,” he told the crowd.
Pope Leo expressed his wish to bring a 'just and lasting peace' in Ukraine and offered prayers for the people of Gaza amid the Israel conflict.
Now, according to the Council on Foreign Affairs, the pope has a major global influence due to his leadership of 1.4 billion Catholics, sovereign control over Vatican City, and diplomatic relations with over 180 countries.
However, the pope isn't really given a yearly salary, as such.
The Vatican will instead adhere to all of his financial needs, which includes housing, food and transportation, as well as expenses in the form of stipends, as reported by Fox News.
In terms of making money, the Vatican is 'relies on a combination of donations, private enterprises, and investments to generate revenue,' Investopedia claims.
Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88, was shockingly worth just $100 at the time of his death.
Reports suggested that the pope donated much of his earnings put up by the Vatican.
Prior to his death, it was revealed that Pope Francis' final wish was to donate his 'popemobile' - an electric Mercedes-Benz G-Class - and transform it into a mobile health service to be used in Gaza.
The late pope reportedly would call a member of Gaza’s small Christian population for a short phone call every day since the start of the ongoing war, according to CNN.
Peter Brune, Secretary General of Caritas Sweden, said that 'with the vehicle, we will be able to reach children who today have no access to health care – children who are injured and malnourished'.
"This is a concrete, life-saving intervention at a time when the health system in Gaza has almost completely collapsed," he added, noting that a team of doctors would run the mobile clinic, which will have the capabilities to treat patients.
Anish Vij