Pope Leo XIV annulled the salary restrictions imposed on Holy See staff and collaborators during the Covid-19 pandemic, through a document published on September 14, 2026. The decision revokes the Apostolic Letter "A Sustainable Future," approved in 2021 by his predecessor, which established a 10% reduction in cardinals' salaries, an 8% cut for heads and secretaries of dicasteries, and a generalized 3% decrease for clergy and religious.
The measure takes effect from September 1, extinguishing rules that aimed to combat the Holy See's economic deficit and avoid the dismissal of lay workers during the health emergency. The original legislation had been implemented in a context of financial worsening that characterized the Vatican's economic management for several years.
Leo XIV specified that the effects arising from the suspension of biennial seniority progressions during the validity of the previous rule remain definitively acquired. The Pope also highlighted the need to diversify income to ensure future economic sustainability.
At the same time, a second document was published that determines the construction of a new building to expand the Archive and Apostolic Library, replacing a previous project outlined by Pope Francis for the Lateran area. The infrastructure will be built in the "Automobile Parking Park Fountain" area, using modern architectural and technological principles. The Pope ordered the establishment of a foundation to ensure financing for the work, with the Governorate responsible for supporting expenses related to state services to be integrated into the building.
