Pope Francis cuts Vatican bonuses

Pope Francis nixes bonuses for Vatican employees, saying tough times trump tradition.

In the past, the Vatican's 4,500-plus workers have gotten a little extra something upon the death of a pope and the election of a new pope.

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In 2005, when Pope Benedict XVI was elected, each received nearly $2,000 apiece.

But Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi told Reuters times have changed.

"Extra expenses are something that might be normal in a situation of abundance, but that is not the world we find ourselves in now," he said.

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The Vatican posted a 15 million-euro deficit in 2001, according to The Associated Press.

Elected in March, Pope Francis has quickly earned a reputation for frugality, forgoing the traditional lavish papal apartments and ornate dress for a more simple, humble papacy

He took his name from Francis of Assisi, a saint who chose to live in poverty.