-- Rome -- Pope Francis has ordered pay cuts for senior Vatican officials and broad pay freezes, a belt-tightening measure that further illustrates the Holy See’s financial straits. The pope enacted the measures in a decree -- a motu proprio -- published Wednesday, to take effect April 1st.
Curial cardinals – who reportedly receive monthly salary packages of €4,000-€5,000 – will take a 10% pay cut. Other department heads will take an 8% reduction. Lower-level officials who are clerics and/or religious will see 3% less in monthly pay.
