Pope Leo XIV has issued a strong criticism of the growing global income inequality, especially the widening gap between the working class and the super-rich. In an exclusive interview granted to Elise Ann Allen, Vatican correspondent for the U.S. news outlet Crux, and published this Sunday on the occasion of his 70th birthday, the pontiff directly mentioned tech billionaire Elon Musk, currently considered the richest person on the planet.
“In the past, managers earned between four and six times more than an average worker; today, according to the latest data I’ve seen, they earn 600 times more,” warned Leo XIV. “I read that Elon Musk is on track to become the world’s first trillionaire. What does that really mean? And what is this all about? If that’s the only thing that matters today, then we have a problem,” said the Pope, making clear his stance on the extreme concentration of wealth in few hands.
It has been only four months since the start of his pontificate, and Leo XIV acknowledged that he is still in a steep learning phase in his new role as a global leader. “I’m learning a lot about how the Holy See has played a role in the diplomatic world for many years… These things are new to me in practical terms. I’ve always followed current events, but the role of the Pope is certainly new for me.
I’m learning a lot and I feel challenged, but not overwhelmed,” he explained. In the face of a world marked by ongoing conflicts in Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, and Gaza, the pontiff said he feels deeply committed to peace and described his mission as that of a “bridge builder.” He emphasized that in these first months he has managed to engage in dialogue with heads of state and leaders of multinational organizations, although he lamented that the United Nations “seem to have lost their ability to bring people together on multilateral issues.”
Leo XIV also spoke about his identity as the first Pope born in the United States and the first with Peruvian citizenship. “Of course, I am American and I very much feel that way, but I also deeply love Peru, the Peruvian people—that is part of who I am. The Latin American perspective is very valuable to me,” he stressed, highlighting his intention to continue and further develop the pastoral vision of his predecessor, Pope Francis. In a lighter tone, the pontiff joked about which team he would support in a World Cup:
“Probably Peru, simply because of the emotional bond. I’m also a big admirer of Italy,” he said. He also confessed to being a fan of the Chicago White Sox in baseball. “But as Pope, I’m a fan of all teams,” he concluded with a smile.
