In 2022, the Vatican had announced that paternity leave would be increased from one to three days. Now it is extended to five. Those who work in the Vatican Central Office will have a monthly bonus of €300 if they have three or more children. Mothers have up to six months and this leave has not been modified.
The decision has been applauded, although associations such as the Vatican's Lay Dependents are asking that the bonus also be applied to other employees of the Holy See or institutions that depend on it.
They also point out that these benefits could be better distributed among all employees if, for example, a bonus for each child was offered instead of a bonus for every three. In fact, they ask that the rules affecting workers be unified and that they be applied equally to all and to avoid unequal treatment. For example, they criticise the fact that in other departments, managers have given employees Amazon vouchers of €200 when the Pope is saying that there are serious economic problems.
The Vatican employs more than 4,000 people, many of whom are lay people. It has its own internal laws on labour regulations and its own pension system.
The economic situation does not seem to be going through its best moment. The Pope has already announced that cuts would have to be made to contain the expenses of this small and fragile State as much as possible. At the last meeting with employees he asked for maximum frankness on the part of everyone.
POPE FRANCIS
If anyone has a special difficulty please speak up, tell the person concerned. We want to resolve all difficulties and this is done through dialogue.
The Vatican's income is generated largely by donations to the Vatican Museums and the apartments it rents, especially in Rome. However, the costs it must face are enormous. In fact, to carry out extraordinary maintenance work on its monuments, it must turn to external sponsors or patrons. This was the case with the restoration of the Basilica and Bernini's baldacchino.
JRB
TR: GS
