Pope Leo XIV is strengthening support for Vatican employees' families by adding more paid time off for new fathers, extra leave for parents of children with severe disabilities, and extended financial allowances for older students.

Vatican News reported that the changes were announced Aug. 11 in a rescript issued by Maximino Caballero Ledo, prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy. The measures follow recommendations from the ULSA Council, a body representing employees from across the Holy See and the Governorate.

Vatican fathers will now receive five days of paid leave to spend with their newborns, to be taken within the first month after birth. The time must be used in full-day blocks, and the leave will count toward their total years of service with no loss in pay.

The policy also adds new support for families raising children with serious disabilities. Either parent may take three paid days off per month to provide care, provided the child is not fully hospitalized. Determinations of disability are made by the Vatican’s Medical Board.

The rescript also extends eligibility for the family allowance — a financial benefit defined in Vatican employment law — to retired Vatican employees who have been officially certified as severely disabled or incapacitated. 

In addition, the Vatican will continue family allowance payments for children over 18 if they are still in school, until age 20 for high school and up to age 26 for university or other higher studies recognized by the Holy See, as long as parents provide proof of enrollment.

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