Pope Leo XIII revived the tradition of providing bonuses to employees of the Vatican in celebration of the election of a new pope.
According to foreign media, including the dpa news agency, on the 24th (local time), the pope revived the so-called "conclave bonus" of 500 euros (about 780,000 won) for each employee of the Vatican the day before. The revival of the bonus came one day before the first official meeting with the Roman Curia.
This bonus was given to employees who worked during the interim period between the death of former Pope Francis on April 21 and the election of Pope Leo XIII on May 8, as a sign of appreciation, according to the Italian news agency Ansa.
The conclave bonus was abolished in 2013 when former Pope Francis took office and was restored after 12 years. Former Pope Francis had implemented various austerity measures to address chronic financial deficits.