Why It Is Nice To Be The Pope

Posted: Oct 30 2012

ROME – As head of the Roman Catholic Church you don’t get a monthly salary but that doesn’t mean life as the Pope doesn’t come with perks.

In fact, as Pope you are entitled to some of the best perks life has to offer.

The Pope has a personal secretary who caters to the Father’s every need and makes sure your Highness does not lack anything. Georg Gänswein is Pope Benedict XVI’s personal secretary.

Being Pope has many of added benefits not common to laymen folks. Photo Credit: Photo News

As a Pope you pay no rent and you are exempt from paying taxes, not just in the Vatican but also in your country of birth; for Benedict XVI, that’s Germany.

Any financial expenses the Pope has are arranged by his Secretariat located in the Vatican and paid for by Dioceses across the globe. The Dioceses from the United States, Germany and Italy are the largest financial contributors to the Pope’s well being.

As a Pope you get to travel first class or with private carrier. Hotel rooms are first class and there are no customs or checkout points to contend with.

A Pope also enjoys great worldly influence. In 2013, Pope Benedict XVI was nominated by Forbes Magazine as the world’s fifth ranking individual with the greatest world influence, following after President Barack Obama, Chancellor Angela Merkel, President Vladimir Putin and philanthropist Bill Gates.

A Pope is also allowed to earn money if he chooses. Pope Benedict XVI’s book ‘Jesus Of Nazareth’, has netted the Father over $US6 million for author’s rights from 2005 until 2010.

Because of His Holiness tax exempt status, that income was completely tax free. Pope Benedict XVI gave all his money to various charities however.

The Pope spent $US3 million of his earnings on creating the “Ratzinger-Benedictus VXI foundation”; the foundation promotes further investigation and studies into the thoughts of Professor Joseph Ratzinger; the Pope’s birth name.

The remaining $US2 million, the Pope donated to various charities around the world.

Looks like being a Pope isn’t such a bad thing and surprisingly it’s easier to become head of the Roman Catholic Church then you might think.

You don’t need to be a priest and you do not have to spend years climbing up in the spiritual ranks.

All you have to do to get a ‘shot at the title’ is to submit your name to the College of Cardinals during an election period – which begins after February 28 2013.

If the College of Cardinals gives you two-thirds of the votes, you are officially and legally the world’s newest Pope and you would get to enjoy all these amazing benefits as well.