Pope Leo has voiced deep concern over the ever-widening income gap between the rich and the poor, warning that the trend poses a serious threat to global stability. In his first media interview since his election in May, the Pope criticised the growing disparity in executive compensation, citing Elon Musk’s potential to become the world’s first trillionaire as a worrying example.
Speaking to Elise Ann Allen, senior correspondent for the Catholic newspaper Crux, the Pope pointed to “the continuously wider gap between the income levels of the working class and the money that the wealthiest receive” as a key factor contributing to the world’s growing polarisation.
“CEOs that 60 years ago might have been making four to six times more than what the workers are receiving … 600 times more [now],” Pope Leo said. He expressed alarm over the news that Musk, the chief executive of Tesla, could be the world’s first trillionaire. “What does that mean and what’s that about? If that is the only thing that has value any more, then we’re in big trouble.”
The comments come days after Tesla’s board proposed a trillion-dollar compensation package for Musk, contingent on him achieving ambitious growth targets. In a stock market update, the company confirmed the proposal, stating, “Yes, you read that correctly.” The plan would require Tesla’s market valuation to rise from just over $1 trillion to $8.5 trillion over the next decade.
Pope Leo, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, also addressed the challenges he faces in his new role. “There’s still a huge learning curve ahead of me,” he told Crux.
The Pope’s remarks reflect concerns similar to those expressed by his predecessor, Pope Francis, who clashed with former US President Donald Trump over immigration and social policies. Leo, too, criticised Trump’s policies on his X account before assuming the papacy.
Despite differences, the Pope’s diplomatic approach was on display recently when Brian Burch, the new US ambassador to the Vatican and a critic of Francis, presented him with a chocolate birthday cake during a meeting, in an apparent effort to foster cordial relations.
Pope Leo’s intervention signals the Church’s ongoing engagement with issues of economic justice, warning that unchecked wealth accumulation threatens both human dignity and global harmony.
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