The new coronavirus pandemic is affecting the budget of the headquarters of the Catholic Church, whose traditional source of income is tourism; it is estimated that senior officials receive up to 5,000 euros per month
THE Pope Francisco on Wednesday, he ordered the wages of cardinals and other clergy to be reduced by up to 10% from April. According to the British television station BBC, it is estimated that these members of the Catholic church they generally receive up to five thousand euros a month, in addition to having their housing costs paid. However, this year the Vatican should have a budget deficit of 50 million euros due to the new coronavirus pandemic, which forced the closure of museums and other spaces that are usually open for visitation. It is expected that the Holy See will have to use 40 million euros in reserves to be able to maintain itself this year.
Previously, Pope Francis had already said that he would not like to have to fire employees in the midst of the economic crisis. Now, the Catholic Church headquarters confirmed in a letter that the cuts are being made with the objective of “safeguarding current jobs” and justified that “an economically sustainable future requires requires, among other decisions, the adoption of measures related to the remuneration of employees ”. In addition to cardinals, priests and nuns, the Vatican also employs security and cleaning officials who, because they receive lower wages and live at their own expense in Roma, are more vulnerable to the economic crisis.
