Pope Leo Criticizes CEO Pay Disparities and Questions UN Effectiveness

In an exclusive interview released recently, Pope Leo expressed strong criticism of the escalating wage gap between corporate executives and their employees, specifically referencing Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s unprecedented $1 trillion compensation package. The pontiff highlighted the dramatic increase in CEO pay over the last six decades, noting that "60 years ago, CEOs might have earned four to six times more than their workers, but today, this has ballooned to about 600 times more."

"When news emerges that Elon Musk is poised to become the world’s first trillionaire, we must ask what this implies," Pope Leo explained. "If that’s considered the sole measure of value, then society faces a serious problem."

Originally from Chicago, Pope Leo also reflected on his extensive missionary work in Peru, his transition into the papacy, and hopes for peaceful resolution in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. The interview was conducted in late July for an upcoming biography and marks one of the few media engagements by Pope Leo, who tends to adopt a more reserved approach compared to his predecessor.

Addressing the role of the United Nations, the pontiff observed a decline in its ability to facilitate effective multilateral diplomacy. "The UN should ideally serve as a forum for resolving numerous global issues. Unfortunately, it appears to have lost much of its influence to unite nations on key matters at this time," he noted.

Regarding his new responsibilities, Pope Leo admitted feeling adequately prepared to guide the spiritual lives of the Catholic faithful but acknowledged the steep learning curve involved in acting as a global diplomatic leader. "Suddenly being thrust onto the world leader stage is a completely new challenge," he said. "I’m learning quickly and though it is demanding, I don’t feel overwhelmed. I had to dive in headfirst and adapt fast."

Pope Leo was elected in May as the first U.S. pope, succeeding Pope Francis. His cautious media presence contrasts with his predecessor’s more frequent public engagements, signaling a distinct leadership style.