Pope Leo XIV just approved several new measures that make labor improvements for parents and caregivers working in the Vatican.
These involve paternity leave, the rights of parents with children who are incapacitated or have a severe disability, and the granting of family allowances. Some of the new provisions are five days paid leave for Vatican employees on the birth of a child and three paid days each month for parents of disabled children.
Labor Improvements in the Vatican
Pope Leo XIV approved the document, which was signed by the Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy, Maximino Caballero Ledo. During the pope's audience with Caballero on July 28, the latter presented to the pope the resolutions of the ULSA Council, which is an organization made up of representatives of various entities of the Holy See and the Governorate.
Other new measures in the Rescript amend certain paragraphs of the Consolidated Text of Benefits in Favour of the Family and the Rules for the Granting of the Family Allowance. The document noted that the five days of paid leave on the birth of a child may be taken consecutively and/or in full-day increments within no more than 30 days from the event, according to the Vatican News.
Additionally, the document noted that the working father is entitled to "full pay, counted in all respects related to length of service." On the other hand, families with children who are "in a situation of certified severity" will be given three days of paid leave each month, usable by the parents.
Paid Days Off
It said that these days of paid leave may also be taken consecutively, but only provided the child is not fully hospitalized in specialized institutions. The Rescript also specifies that the clinical assessment of disability and the determination of its severity are carried out by a Medical Board, Exaudi reported.
Another measure in the document is the updated family subsidy, where the requirements for receiving this particular benefit have been specified. These include adult children being eligible while pursuing secondary school, up to 20 years of age.
The Rescript redefines the concepts of disability and incapacity, specifying that the assessment will be carried out by a Vatican Medical Association, whose decision will be "without appeal." The last major inclusion of the document is the facilitation of assistance to family members with disabilities, where the time off cannot be used to work another job, as per the Catholic News Agency.
