Pope Francis has directed that Cardinals and other top clerics take a 10% pay cut to salvage the jobs of employees that might otherwise be lost due to the pandemic.
The Vatican issued a statement earlier today that the cuts will commence on the 1st of April. The pay cuts will not affect most employees. It is believed that due to the pandemic the papal has reduced funding to support the staff and is currently running a deficit of about 50 million Euros.
It is the first time in history that a pope will take such an action. The pope expressed that he does not believe in letting staff go during economic hardships and hopes to salvage as many livelihoods as possible.
The priests and nuns who live in religious communities such as seminaries, convents and parishes do have a higher shield from the economic woes than regular members of staff who have families.
Pay raises have also been suspended till March, 2023.