p Stories:

• Bird toxin deadlier than cyanide
• Early stroke signs missed
• The ‘R-word’ inching back
• Mile-wide underwater volcano
• Rise of the college bed party
• ‘Struggle meals’
• Spacecraft uncontrolled plunge
• Newark Airport challenges
• Grandmas on TikTok
• Handwashing mistake

Pope Leo XIV just took the top job in the Catholic Church—and the role comes with a $33,000-a-month paycheck

Emma Burleigh

Fri, May 9, 2025 at 5:15 PM GMT+1

4 min read945

• Pope Leo XIV has been elected as the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. The job comes with a $33,000 monthly paycheck. That pay stacks up to the salaries of U.S. presidents and university chancellors. However, the pontiff also gets unique perks. These include free meals all day, a Popemobile, his own private pharmacy, and more.

White smoke soon billowed out of the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. The Roman Catholic Church named its next pope shortly thereafter. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was chosen. He is the first American to take the job. Not only is it a huge honor and promotion—but it also comes with a sizable six-figure wage.

The pope is awarded a lavish salary of €30,000 (about $33,800) per month, or about $405,600 yearly, according to Daniel Rober, a professor of Catholic studies at Sacred Heart University

However, becoming the pope is a much more spiritual endeavor than other high-flying leadership roles. The late Pope Francis even turned down the generous paycheck. He opted to have the money donated to those in need instead.

“He lived as a Jesuit for decades before becoming a bishop. He continued to live in the style he was accustomed to. He maintained this way of life as a religious throughout the rest of his life,” Rober told Fortune.

It is uncertain if Pope Leo XIV will accept the salary. If he does, he could be making as much as some of the world’s most powerful leaders. Either way, he’ll still be enjoying Vatican perks like the Popemobile and a cushy retirement.

The pope earns just as much as U.S. presidents and university chancellors

The pope’s nearly half-a-million paypacket is on par with the wages of U.S. presidents.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Government leaders receive a $400,000 baseline salary. They get at least another $170,000 per year in additional allowances for official duties. This covers travel and entertainment. The president has access to Air Force One and Marine One. They also receive 24-hour Secret Service protection, saving them thousands per year in other expenditures.

Another institutional leadership job that pays in the ballpark of the pope is U.S. university chancellors. The presidents of America’s elite schools can even earn a base pay of up to $1.5 million annually—far higher than the president or pope. But usually, the salary range for chancellors is between $250,000 to $372,000 yearly. The presidents of Northwestern University, University of Vermont, and Purdue University receive a base pay close to the pontiff. They reportedly earn around $400,000.

But sometimes, the perks go beyond the pay for a high-profile position. Elon Musk has had a baseline salary of $0 for many years. He gets billions in stock compensation for hitting milestones. He also has a fleet of private jets, and his companies pay for his security. Mark Zuckerberg’s baseline wage has also been $1 annually since 2013. He receives no bonus. However, his $211 billion empire has grown through Meta stock.

The other perks that come with being pope: A private pharmacy and $3,300 monthly retirement fund

The pope is revered as the highest leader of the Catholic Church. He is considered the most holy, and the church has over a billion members. And the Vatican makes sure the pontiff can lead in style.

Advertisement

Advertisement

For one, the pope usually lives in the gilded Apostolic Palace—lavish living arrangements with all expenses covered by the Vatican. All of his meals are free of charge. His day-to-day necessities are also free. He has unfettered access to custom, hand-tailored regalia made by top religious outfitters.

Pope Leo XIV will have access to the Popemobile at any moment. He can also use private cars and a fleet of vehicles when needed. The pontiff also doesn’t have to worry about security, healthcare, or retirement anymore. He has free access to Vatican medical services and a private pharmacy to ensure a healthy, long reign.

And even after the pope chooses to retire, he would receive a monthly pension of €2,500 ($3,300). But there’s more beyond a stacked savings account. The Vatican will cover living expenses. They provide a home inside the Vatican. They also pay for all daily necessities, including food and housekeeping.

This story was originally featured