Skip to content

Pope Leo XIV approves measures benefiting families of Vatican employees

Pope Leo XIV has approved a series of measures that benefit Vatican employees, expanding paternity leave, the rights of parents with disabled children, and granting family subsidies.

Pope Leo XIV has approved a series of measures that benefit Vatican employees, expanding paternity leave, the rights of parents with disabled children, and granting family subsidies.

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER HERE

A document published Aug. 11 and signed by Maximino Caballero, prefect of the secretariat for financial affairs of the Holy See, lists the “Provisions for the Family” approved by the Holy Father following an audience on July 28.

These resolutions were previously unanimously accepted by the council of the Labor Office of the Holy See (ULSA, by its Italian acronym), a body composed of representatives from various entities of the Holy See and the Vatican Governorate as well as their respective employees.

Regarding paternity leave, the pontiff established that a father is entitled to five days of 100% paid leave after the birth of a child. 

The text specifies that the days off are “understood as working days and may be taken sequentially or one at a time in full days and not by hours, and not beyond 30 days from the birth of the child, under penalty of forfeiture of the right.”

In January, Pope Francis extended paternity leave from three to five days, a measure already modified in 2022, when it was increased from one to three days.

Parents of children with proven severe disabilities will be entitled to three days of paid leave per month, which may be taken in a row as long as the child is not hospitalized full time.

In addition, a monthly subsidy was introduced for families with severely disabled or incapacitated members as well as for pensioners in the same situation.

The document also redefines the concepts of disability and incapacity, specifying that the assessment will be carried out by a Vatican Medical Association, whose decision will be “without appeal.”

Finally, to facilitate assistance to family members with disabilities, it is stipulated that the time off granted for this purpose cannot be used to work another job. 

Regarding the family subsidy, Pope Leo XIV has expanded the right for adult children who are students. They may receive this aid until the age of 20 for secondary school studies and until the age of 26 for university studies or equivalent studies recognized by the Holy See. 

The provisions, approved by the pope, will go into effect upon their official publication in the Acta Apostolicae Sedis (Acts of the Apostolic See).

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today

Share

Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican

Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter.

More news related to this article

What does Pope Francis’ new ‘Fundamental Law’ mean for Vatican City State?

Is the new Fundamental Law issued by Pope Francis last week simply a modernization of Vatican City’s civil

‘God never tires of forgiving’: Pope Francis hears confessions at Roman parish

On Friday evening Pope Francis traveled out of the Vatican to hear confessions and preside over a penitential service at St. Pius V Parish in Rome.

Vatican sends letter to French embassy over tribunal decision in nun’s dismissal case

The Holy See on Saturday confirmed that it had sent a diplomatic letter to the French embassy over a French court ruling involving a Canadian cardinal’s alleged wrongful dismissal of a nun.

The Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano

Jesus said to [Thomas], “Do you believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who, though they

St. Monica: The persistent mother of St. Augustine who never gave up

On Aug. 27, one day before the feast of her son St. Augustine, the Catholic Church honors St. Monica, whose holy example and fervent intercession led to one of the most dramatic conversions in Church history.

Gaza Priest After Speaking With Pope Francis: ‘We Rejoice To Hear His Voice’

Father Gabriel Romanelli, IVE, pastor of Holy Family Parish, Gaza’s only Catholic parish, spoke with Pope Francis on Tuesday despite the pontiff’s critical hospitalization for bilateral pneumonia.

LIVE
FROM THE VATICAN

Be present live on EWTNit