When Robert Francis Prevost was named the first American to become pope, the world celebrated the historical milestone while also sparking a wave of curiosity about how this role might change his personal lifestyle. One of the most common questions people had was simple yet intriguing: how much does the pope get paid?

Despite being one of the most influential religious and political leaders in the world, the pope does not earn a traditional salary. In fact, the financial arrangement for the head of the Catholic Church is quite different from what people might expect in other high-profile leadership positions. The Vatican, recognized as the smallest independent state in the world, ensures that the pope’s needs are entirely covered. This includes housing, meals, transportation, healthcare, and security. Pope Leo XIV, like his predecessors, won’t collect a paycheck in the conventional sense but will live a fully supported life with access to all necessary comforts and tools to fulfill his role. While some reports suggest the papacy could offer a symbolic monthly salary of about €2,500 or roughly $2,650, this is more of a formal figure than an actual wage. The essence of the papal role has always been rooted in service, not in financial compensation, and Pope Leo XIV is widely expected to continue this tradition by choosing simplicity over luxury.

This approach mirrors the example set by Pope Francis, who served from 2013 to 2025 and was well known for his modest lifestyle. In 2017, for example, Pope Francis received a Lamborghini Huracán worth nearly $950,000 as a gift. Rather than keeping the car as a symbol of status or power, he chose to auction it and donate the proceeds to various humanitarian causes, reflecting his commitment to humility and charity. His dedication to a simple life was also evident in his choice to live in the modest Domus Sanctae Marthae guesthouse instead of the more lavish Apostolic Palace, breaking from papal tradition.

Inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of humility and poverty, Pope Francis shaped a papacy focused on spiritual wealth rather than material gain—a path Pope Leo XIV is expected to follow. Even without a salary, the pope is far from living in poverty. Estimates of Pope Francis’s net worth, including access to Vatican resources and properties, suggest a value as high as $12 million. However, these funds are not for personal indulgence. Instead, they support the pope’s duties, help maintain Church operations, and go toward charitable efforts. Pope Francis, for instance, made significant donations during his time, including $215,000 to aid prisoners in Rome. These actions highlight the true use of papal resources: to serve the global Catholic community and uplift those most in need. The financial structure of the Vatican is complex and multifaceted.

It relies on global donations from Catholics, revenue from tourism, and the income generated by the Vatican Museums. Although exact figures are not publicly released, the CIA’s World Factbook estimated the Vatican’s 2013 revenues at around $315 million, with expenditures totaling roughly $348 million. One well-known source of funding is Peter’s Pence, an annual donation campaign that brings in an estimated $25 million each year from Catholics around the world, especially from nations like the United States, Germany, and Italy. Despite this income, the Vatican has also faced financial challenges. In 2023, it reported an operating deficit of $90 million, raising concerns about the sustainability of pension systems for Vatican employees. In response, Pope Francis introduced austerity measures in 2021, including pay cuts for high-ranking clergy such as bishops and cardinals, demonstrating a push for financial responsibility and transparency. Although the Pope doesn’t get paid in the typical sense, the role carries a different kind of wealth—access to global influence, spiritual authority, and the ability to inspire change. Pope Leo XIV is stepping into this position with the world watching, and while his financial compensation may be minimal or even nonexistent, the resources and impact tied to the papacy are immense. At its heart, the papal mission is one of devotion, humility, and service, and Pope Leo XIV’s leadership will likely reinforce these values, reminding the world that this sacred role is not about riches, but about reaching people with compassion, grace, and a commitment to greater good.