For an ex-ruler of the Holy City and head of the Roman Catholic Church, the sum might not seem excessive. But readers’ comments on Italian websites were soon asking how Benedict would spend the income given that all his needs, from catering to gardeners, would be provided. 
 
 And La Stampa’s Vatican correspondent, who broke the news, noted that while the Pope’s pension would be 50 per cent less than that awarded to a retired cardinal, it was possible his successor might bestow Benedict the title of emeritus cardinal, in which case in monthly income would double to €5,000 (£4,200). 
 
 When the Pope steps down on 28 February, he will take with him only personal effects and gifts, his piano, his cats and private letters. Everything else – including books, furniture, and documents – will remain in the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. 
 
 The Holy See spokesman, Father Federico Lombardi, said a “distinction will be made between official church documents and personal ones.” 
 
 Meanwhile, the Church’s political problems and unresolved scandals will be for his successor to deal with. 

 What kind of retirement package do you give to someone who’s spent sixty-plus years on the job, including almost eight as chief executive? If you’re the Roman Catholic Church, and that someone is Pope Benedict XVI (the once and future Joseph Ratzinger), you give him a monthly pension worth 2,500 euros, or about $3,340. The Italian newspaper La Stampa broke the story this week, reporting that the 85-year-old Benedict—the first pope in nearly 600 years to retire from office—will receive the pension that the church typically offers to retired bishops. (Don’t speak Italian? Neither do I: Britain’s Independent has the story here.) 
 
 Getty Images Benedict XVI: Retiring on $3,340 a month. 
 
 Coincidentally, the pope’s pension is almost identical to the maximum Social Security benefit a U.S. retiree could earn if she retired this year–$3,350 a month, according to the Social Security Administration’s benefits calculator. To receive a check that size, that hypothetical retiree would need to retire at age 70 or later after having earned the taxable maximum salary throughout her career—the equivalent of $113,700 this year. Of course, most of Benedict’s personal expenses, from food to gardening, will be covered by the Vatican for the rest of his life, so his pension is mostly play money. (Alas: No grandkids to visit.) The pot could get sweeter, too, according to La Stampa: If Benedict’s successor awards him the status of emeritus cardinal—not out of the question, since Ratzinger held various cardinal titles before being elected Pope—his pension could double.
– Thinking about "pope" as your career goal? Consider the retirement package, which is apparently around $3,340 per month. That's how much Pope Benedict will get when he abdicates later this month, and while it may seem a bit low for someone who was the leader of the entire Roman Catholic Church, also consider the fact that most if not all of his expenses will be covered by the Vatican after he retires. (He'll be living there, for one thing.) In fact, the question of "what exactly does he need $3,340 per month for" has already been raised, the Independent reports. And that amount could end up even higher: If Benedict receives the title of emeritus cardinal from the next pope, his pension will double. (He'll be made "Emeritus Bishop of Rome" upon stepping down.) Interestingly, MarketWatch notes that the maximum Social Security benefit a US retiree can earn is $3,350.