At Pope Francis’ request, the Vatican will now pay a monthly bonus of 300 euros (around $309) per family to employees of the city-state who have three or more children, giving credibility to his frequent warnings about countries’ low fertility rates.
A Jan. 15 press release from the Vatican Governorate called the child bonus the pope’s “personal initiative,” and said that Francis “supports large families and offers them financial assistance.”
The economic measure applies only to employees working for the Governorate of the Vatican City State, who will receive the monthly payment until the offspring’s 18th birthday or 24th birthday if enrolled in university studies.
Francis has also determined that the city state’s three days of paid parental leave for new fathers — whether through birth, adoption, or fostering — be extended to five days.
The changes went into effect Jan. 1.
The “baby bonus” initiative is the latest in the Vatican’s efforts to make itself a more family-friendly employer. Late last year, the city-state announced its intention to open an on-site daycare center for employees’ children ages 3 months to 3 years.
Since 2020, the Vatican has also run a summer camp for the children of staff. Kids ages 5-13 can attend the day camp, which usually runs for several weeks in July, and as of 2024, includes a new sports facility and swimming pool.
Pope Francis baptized 21 babies, all the children of Vatican staff and Swiss Guards, in the Sistine Chapel on Sunday. The group baptism is a papal custom for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.
This article was originally published on Catholic News Agency.
