The poll was conducted by the Vatican Lay Staff Association, which represents about 300 people. Vatican employees are not allowed to form unions. The Vatican’s lay workforce – most of whom live outside the Vatican walls – numbers around 4,000 and includes cooks, gardeners and cleaners.
In a poll conducted between Dec. 15 and Jan. 7 of 250 respondents, 73.9 percent said there was a “disconnection” with the administration, according to a post by the association on its website. An even larger share – 75.9 percent – claims that they feel undervalued and demotivated.
It is the first survey on working conditions for Vatican staff. The association said it was “particularly concerned” that 56 percent of respondents said they had “suffered injustice and harassment from their manager”.
The late Pope Francis had a sometimes strained relationship with Vatican staff, and some staff told AFP they hoped for change under Pope Leo XIV, who succeeded him last year.
One of the first moves of the American pope was reportedly to reintroduce a €500 bonus for Vatican employees to elect a new pope.
Respondents in the survey on working conditions were asked about “possible proposals that they could make to the Pope if the opportunity arises.” The association said the majority of respondents called for “dignity, the right to vote and real protection for staff through representation, transparency, dialogue and respect”.
The Vatican, the seat of the Catholic Church, has its own newspaper, a national anthem in Latin and a supreme leader: the Pope. Around 900 people live within its ancient walls, from the Pope himself to red-capped cardinals, nuns, priests, diplomats and laymen.
Employees earn tax-free wages and have free health care, but cannot form or join unions, reports AFP.
(Vijesti.ba / FENA)
