Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has taken a historic step to promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities within the workforce of the Holy See. Through a Rescript, the Pope approved the decisions of the Labour Office of the Apostolic See (ULSA), affirming that disability should never be a barrier to meaningful employment within Vatican institutions.
During an audience with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin on 4 August 2025, Pope Leo XIV ratified the ULSA Council’s recommendations to foster a culture of welcome and accessibility in all offices of the Holy See and the Governorate. The new guidelines stipulate that the employment of persons with disabilities be actively encouraged, with tailored measures provided as necessary to ensure equal opportunity. The principle is formally codified in a newly introduced Article 2 bis, which amends the Norms for the Protection of Human Dignity and Fundamental Rights during medical examinations for hiring and employment (originally issued 18 November 2011).
A significant modification under the new provision revises Article 14 of the General Regulations of the Roman Curia. The previous requirement for a “state of good health duly ascertained” is replaced with a focus on “psycho-physical suitability for the duties to be carried out, certified by the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State.” This shift underscores that suitability for work should be measured by competence and capability rather than by rigid physical standards, placing inclusivity at the center of Vatican employment practices.
The Pope’s initiative follows closely on previous measures he approved to enhance employee welfare. The Rescript published on 11 August 2025 expanded protections and benefits for Vatican staff, including three days of paid leave per month for parents of children with disabilities, and five days of paid leave for employees upon the birth of a child. Both measures, along with the new employment policy for persons with disabilities, reflect the Holy See’s commitment to a workplace that values dignity, compassion, and social responsibility.
Pope Leo XIV’s Rescript empowers Vatican administrations to actively foster the employment of persons with disabilities, sending a strong message of inclusion and respect for human potential. The Holy See joins global efforts to ensure that workplaces are accessible, equitable, and attentive to the talents of all members of the community, affirming that faith and professional life can advance hand in hand with social justice.