Pope may donate bonus for Vatican employees to needy

19 April, 2013 - Pope Francis, known for his frugal ways, is likely to scrap a traditional bonus given to Vatican employees, the Holy See’s spokesman, Fr. Federico Lombardi said on Thursday. In the past, the Vatican's 4,500-plus workers - both religious and lay - would receive a bonus upon the death of one pope and another upon the election of his successor. In 2005, the total reportedly came to 1,500 euros (nearly $2,000) apiece. Fr. Lombardi said that given tough economic times, with the Vatican posting a 15 million-euro deficit in 2011, “it didn't seem possible or appropriate to burden the Vatican's budget with a considerable, unforeseen extra expense.” “Instead,” he explained, “the Holy Father has arranged for donation ​​to a few aid and charity agencies from the Pope’s charity fund, as a sign of the concern of the Church for many people who are in difficulty.” (Source: AP/Reuters)