Vatican: A Bonus for Large Families

The sum will be paid until the children reach the age of 18 or until the end of the ordinary cycle of studies, provided that a certificate of registration issued by the upper secondary school or university is provided and, in any case, no later than the age of 24, specifies the Vatican State.

The Pope has also extended the parental leave granted on the occasion of the birth of a child, from three to five days. In 2022, this leave had been extended from one to three days. Some had expressed their disappointment, considering this period too short compared to other models such as Italy, which grants ten days to new fathers.

The new bonus for large families is only for staff dependent on the Governorate, a structure headed by Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga and comprising around 2,000 people out of the 4,800 Vatican employees. On average, the monthly salary of these employees is between 1,500 and 3,000 euros net.

The measure was received with mixed feelings by the Association of Lay Employees of the Vatican (ADLV), due to the financial efforts requested by the Vatican.

The Sovereign Pontiff announced new budgetary restrictions – particularly in the Dicastery for Communication – while staff salaries have not been indexed to the cost of living for about 15 years, the Association emphasizes.

While the Association of Lay Employees of the Vatican (ADLV) welcomes the measure, in its press release it nevertheless notes that more than half of Vatican employees are excluded from it.

The ADLV is also concerned about disabled children over the age of 18, who are unable to access education. It calls for “allowances and bonuses for all, also taking into account those who have fewer than three children,” highlighting criteria of justice and fairness in the treatment of employees at the Vatican.