- Pope Leo XIV has been elected as the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, and the job comes with a $33,000 monthly paycheck. That pay stacks up to the salaries of U.S. presidents and university chancellors—but the pontiff also gets unique perks like free meals all day, a Popemobile, his own private pharmacy and more.
Shortly after white smoke billowed out of the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, the Roman Catholic Church named its next pope: Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, 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, opting to have the money donated to those in need instead.
“He’s somebody who lived as a Jesuit for decades before becoming a bishop and continued to live in the style that he’s been accustomed to as a religious throughout the rest of his life,” Rober told Fortune.
There’s no telling if Pope Leo XIV will accept the salary—but 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.
Government leaders receive a $400,000 baseline salary, with at least another $170,000 per year in additional allowances for official duties, travel, and entertainment. The president also has access to Air Force One, Marine One, and 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 all reportedly rake in a base pay close to the pontiff at 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—but he gets billions in stock compensation for hitting milestones, and has a fleet of private jets and security paid for by his companies. Mark Zuckerberg’s baseline wage has also been $1 annually since 2013 with no bonus, but 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 and most holiest leader of the Catholic Church, which has over a billion members. And the Vatican makes sure the pontiff can lead in style.
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 and day-to-day necessities are also free of charge for the pope, with unfettered access to custom, hand-tailored regalia made by top religious outfitters.
Pope Leo XIV will also have access to the Popemobile, private cars, and a fleet of vehicles at the drop of a hat. 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 the living expenses, provide a home inside the Vatican, pay for all daily necessities including food and housekeeping.
