Vatican Employees Sound the Alarm Over Holy See’s Finances

The Associazione Dipendenti Laici Vaticani (ADLV), a union-like association representing the Vatican's lay employees, has questioned in a December 3 statement the optimism surrounding the recent Vatican financial report.

Last week, the Vatican announced a budget surplus of €1.6 million, its first positive result after years of deficits—a development presented as a sign of progress.

However, the ADLV argues that the information released remains partial and insufficient.

Employees say they would prefer the Vatican to regularly publish complete, certified budgets—both forecast and final—accompanied by detailed documentation, rather than relying on visually appealing slide presentations that lack the depth required for serious evaluation.

As the ADLV notes, it is difficult to believe in a genuine financial recovery when essential data are still missing.

Surplus Driven by Donations and Market Gains

According to the association, the surplus is not the result of structural reforms or improved internal management. Instead, it was largely driven by increased external donations and exceptionally favorable financial-market performance over the past two years.

Even Vatican officials have acknowledged that market gains played a disproportionate role. As a result, employees fear that the underlying structural deficit remains unresolved.

Real-estate management now accounts for roughly 50% of the Vatican’s internally generated revenue, increasing by €6.1 million—but maintenance expenses have risen even more sharply, by €11 million.

Vatican Needs to Streamline the Workforce

Another major concern involves the rise in personnel costs.

Workers are asking for clarity on whether this increase is linked to higher salaries for managers and executives.

Most Vatican employees, the ADLV notes, have not recovered the purchasing power lost to steadily rising prices. Salaries have effectively been frozen since 2008, the promised two-year salary increment has not been reinstated, and the true state of the Vatican’s pension fund remains undisclosed.

The ADLV insists that the Holy See must undertake a thorough review of staffing structures, job functions, and hiring practices, as required by the new General Regulations of the Roman Curia.

Realistic observers argue that the Vatican will ultimately have to streamline its workforce in order to achieve financial sustainability.

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