THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Benedict XVI could receive a pension of £2,150 a month once he steps down as Pope at the end of this month and goes into retirement within the walls of the Vatican.
The Vatican has indicated that the most likely title for Benedict after his resignation on Feb 28 will be Bishop Emeritus of Rome.
That would entitle him to a pension of 2,500 euros a month.
The Vatican would not confirm the arrangement, but its official spokesman, Father Federico Lombardi, said last week that the Pope would want for nothing.
"We will ensure he can live a dignified existence," he said.
It is unclear what Benedict might need to spend the money on. The former nunnery is a grace-and-favour residence inside the Vatican, and he will not have to pay rent.
His meals and daily living expenses will also be paid for by Vatican state finances, and cooking and cleaning will be done by a group of four women from a Catholic organisation called Memores Domini.
Nor is he likely to be jetting around the world in the manner of an ex-US President or British Prime Minister.
The long trips he had to do as Pope, including to Mexico, Cuba and Lebanon last year, were one reason he decided to resign. » | Nick Squires, Rome | Monday, February 18, 2013
