A rare survey of Vatican employees has revealed deep unease among lay staff, exposing what many describe as a culture of mismanagement, limited dialogue and stalled careers inside the world’s smallest state. The findings, published this week, mark the first time Vatican workers have collectively quantified long-standing internal frustrations.
The poll, carried out by the Associazione Dipendenti Laici Vaticani (ADLV), found that nearly three-quarters of respondents felt disconnected from their managers and similarly undervalued in their work. More than half said they had suffered what they described as injustice or harassment at the hands of superiors, while doubts about fairness and transparency in promotions were widespread.
A First-Ever Snapshot of Employee Sentiment
The survey was conducted between 15 December 2025 and 7 January 2026, gathering responses from 250 lay employees across Vatican offices. Although the ADLV represents around 300 members from a total Vatican lay workforce of roughly 4,200 staff, this marked the first attempt to systematically assess working conditions inside the Holy See.
The results paint a picture of an institution struggling to align its internal practices with its public teachings on dignity and justice. According to the data, 73.9% of respondents said they experienced a clear disconnect with management, while 75.9% reported feeling undervalued and demotivated in their roles.
Claims of Injustice and Barriers to Advancement
One of the starkest findings was the prevalence of negative experiences with supervisors. The ADLV said it was “particularly concerned” that more than 56% of participants reported having “suffered injustice and harassment from their manager.”
Career stagnation also emerged as a major grievance. Around 73% of respondents said professional advancement was effectively blocked, and 71.6% questioned the transparency of leadership selection processes. Nearly eight in ten felt the Vatican invested too little in staff training.
Beyond pay or benefits, many respondents pointed to a deeper sense of unfairness. 73.4% perceived favoritism and unequal treatment, suggesting that personal connections, rather than merit, often determine opportunities.
Labour Reforms Under Scrutiny
The survey also reflected dissatisfaction with recent labour reforms. About 68% of respondents said changes introduced in recent years imposed more restrictions without delivering tangible benefits for employees.
These concerns are rooted in decisions taken during the pontificate of Pope Francis, who in 2021 suspended biennial salary increments as part of austerity measures to address budget deficits. While Vatican staff earn tax-free salaries and receive free medical care, many said the freeze exacerbated feelings of being overlooked.
Employees have expressed cautious hope that Pope Leo XIV, elected in 2025, may chart a different course. Among his first symbolic gestures was the reinstatement of a 500-euro bonus linked to papal elections, a benefit previously withdrawn.
Vatican Pushback on “Widespread” Discontent
The Vatican’s Office of Labor of the Apostolic See (ULSA) moved swiftly to challenge how the survey has been interpreted. Its president, Msgr. Marco Sprizzi, stressed that the respondents represented less than 5% of the total workforce.
“It doesn’t seem to me that the discontent is widespread,” Sprizzi said, arguing that his day-to-day interactions pointed to a largely positive climate. He described the Vatican as “a structure of dialogue” and insisted that even individual complaints are taken seriously.
Sprizzi also pointed to the Vatican’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, noting that no layoffs or salary cuts were imposed despite severe financial strain. He acknowledged, however, that “in some cases the necessary adjustments have not been made,” adding that efforts were under way to correct those gaps.
Limited Rights, Limited Avenues
The dispute underscores the unique nature of Vatican labour law. Employees cannot form or join trade unions, nor do they have the right to strike. The ADLV operates as an internal association without formal collective bargaining powers, leaving staff with few mechanisms to challenge decisions or report abuse.
Compounding frustrations is the absence of a clear legal definition of workplace harassment, often referred to as “mobbing,” in Vatican law. For critics, this gap fuels a sense of vulnerability among workers who feel mistreated but lack legal protection.
A Mirror Held Up to the Institution
In its statement, the ADLV said the core message of the survey extended beyond economic demands. A majority of respondents called for “dignity, a voice and real protection for staff through representation, transparency, dialogue and respect.”
The association framed the findings as a warning rather than a confrontation: a mirror held up to an institution whose global moral authority rests on social teachings about the value of work and the rights of workers.
Whether the poll leads to concrete reforms remains to be seen. But by quantifying grievances long confined to Vatican corridors, employees have set a marker that may shape internal debates under the new pontificate — and invite closer scrutiny of how the Church treats those who serve at its core.
