Patrick tackled one of the strangest questions to hit the Wall Street Journal lately:
Does the first American Pope have to file U.S. taxes?

It’s not as simple as “render unto Caesar.”

🧾 Wait... The IRS and the Pope?!

Here’s the deal: Patrick explains that U.S. citizens have to file taxes, even if they don't live in the country. So technically, yes, Pope Leo XIV might be required to file a return.

But... he’s also a religious with a vow of poverty, meaning he doesn’t personally own anything. Any stipend or salary he’s ever received has gone to the Order of St. Augustine, which is tax-exempt.

So, the IRS probably isn't expecting a form from the Vatican anytime soon

.

🍬 What Would He Even Spend Money On?

Patrick and Cyrus had fun imagining Pope Leo walking into a shop in his white cassock and trying to buy a candy bar:

“Are you going to ring him up at the register, or just say, ‘Holy Father, it’s yours. Please just bless my store!’” 😂

 

The Pope doesn’t exactly need a paycheck. His lodging, food, clothing... it’s all provided. There’s just not a lot of financial action happening in papal life.

Should He File Anyway?

Some tax experts say yes, just to be safe:

-Filing protects against identity theft.

-It starts the clock on the IRS’s audit window.

-It shows civic responsibility, even if no taxes are owed.

But Patrick’s guess is:

“Pope Leo’s not going to sit at his desk with a calculator and TurboTax open.”

Is the IRS going to arrest the Pope for skipping a W-2?

Very unlikely.

But it’s a funny, very modern dilemma that shows what happens when centuries of tradition meet the fine print of U.S. tax law.

And as Cyrus put it: “You’re the Pope. You don’t have to file.”

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.