Pope Leo XIV's salary as head of Roman Catholic Church would be much less than what he made as cardinal

VATICAN CITY, ROME: Pope Francis' successor, Robert Francis Prevost, who has taken on the papal name Pope Leo XIV, made history by becoming the first American-born Pope.

Pope Leo XIV is relatively young for a pontiff at 69, and according to his elder brother, John Prevost, it is expected that he will be following in the "humble" footsteps of Pope Francis, according to Unilad.

As Robert Prevost becomes the new pope, people are curious to know how much salary he will take home as head of the Roman Catholic Church.

Pope Leo XIV's salary as head of Catholic Church less than what he made as cardinal

Pope Francis swore an oath of poverty, chastity, and obedience to Christ as a Jesuit, and he lived up to his namesake of St Francis of Assisi, who had a simple life, per the outlet.

Notably, Francis gave up a luxurious life to focus entirely on his religious duties.

Moreover, he opted out of his $32,000 annual papal salary and decided to live in a rather bare and austere bedroom in Domus Sanctae Marthae, a church guest house, per Unilad.

Meanwhile, Pope Leo, who spent most of his life as a missionary in Peru, has yet to decide his way of living, as many, like his brother, suspect him of aligning closely with Francis.

Moreover, Leo is entitled to some money, which isn't exactly the traditional salary.

He is expected to take home roughly $2,820 per month, which is a bit of a pay cut as he used to take home around $5,600 per month as a cardinal, Unilad reported.

Pope Leo probably doesn't need it as the Vatican covers the bill for almost everything he needs, like housing, food, transport, and healthcare.

Notably, the Vatican reportedly funds its economy through donations, investments, and other revenues, as the United States is its largest donor through its Peter's Pence, per the outlet.

Pope Leo seems to take subtle jibe at Trump during first speech as pontiff

Pope Leo XIV gave his first public speech on Thursday, May 8, and many saw it as a subtle jab at President Donald Trump.

During his speech, he echoed his late predecessor, Pope Francis, who was famously critical of Trump, especially on immigration.

Leo XIV said, "We must seek together how to be a missionary Church, a Church that builds bridges, dialogue, [and is] always open to receive—like this square, with open arms—everyone, all those who need our charity, our presence, dialogue, love."

Notably, Pope Francis often clapped back at Trump’s "Build the Wall" slogan with his signature phrase, "Build bridges, not walls".

Moreover, that was a line Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re highlighted while delivering Francis’ final homily, "Build bridges, not walls, was an exhortation he repeated many times."

During his speech on Thursday, Pope Leo XIV also used the opportunity to honor Pope Francis. He paid tribute to Pope Francis while speaking to thousands gathered in St Peter’s Square, the Daily Beast reported.

He said, "Help us too, then, each other, to build bridges... uniting all of us to be one people, always in peace," adding, "Thank you to Pope Francis."

He then switched to Spanish and urged the Church "to be close, especially to those who suffer" and to embrace peace, love, and charity.