No papal bonus for Vatican workers
Pope Francis, known for his frugal ways, has decided Vatican employees will not be getting the bonus that traditionally comes with the election of a new pope, officials have said.
In the past, the Vatican's 4,500-plus workers - both religious and lay - would get an extra little something upon the death of one pope and another upon the election of his successor.
In 2005, the total reportedly came to 1,500 euro (£1,280).
Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said that given tough economic times - the Vatican posted a 15 million euro (£12.8 million) deficit in 2011 - "it did not seem possible or appropriate to burden the Vatican's budget with a considerable, unforeseen extra expense".