Pope Leo Slams Soaring CEO Salaries in Debut Interview as Church Leader

Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1329 EAT on Monday 15 September 2025

Pope Leo XIV has sharply criticized the growing gap between executive and worker pay, singling out Tesla’s trillion-dollar compensation package for CEO Elon Musk as emblematic of deepening economic inequality.

In his first sit-down media interview since becoming the leader of the Catholic Church, the first American pope pointed to rising income disparity as a major contributor to social and political polarization.

“CEOs who 60 years ago might have been earning four to six times more than their workers are now making 600 times more,” he said. “That kind of disparity is morally troubling and socially destabilizing.”

The pope also referenced media reports suggesting that Elon Musk could soon become the world’s first trillionaire.

“What does that mean, and what’s that about?” he said. “If that’s the only thing that has value anymore, then we’re in big trouble.”

The comments came in excerpts from Pope Leo’s interview with Elise Allen, senior correspondent at the Catholic news outlet Crux. The conversation took place in late July as part of Allen’s forthcoming biography of the new pontiff.

In the wide-ranging interview, Pope Leo acknowledged the steep learning curve associated with his new role, describing the experience of becoming a globally scrutinized leader as a “completely new dimension” in his life. He remarked that he has had to “jump into the deep end of the pool very quickly” as he adapts to the demands of the papacy.

Pope Leo also expressed hope for a peaceful resolution to the war between Russia and Ukraine, while lamenting what he described as the United Nations’ diminished capacity to foster multilateral cooperation.

“The UN has lost its ability to bring people together on multilateral issues,” he said.

Elected on May 8, Pope Leo became the first American in the Catholic Church’s 2,000-year history to ascend to the papacy. Born in Chicago, he spent much of his adult life serving as a missionary and later as a bishop in Peru, before being appointed to a senior Vatican position by Pope Francis in 2023.

Since his election, Pope Leo has signaled his intention to continue Pope Francis’ advocacy on key social issues, including migration, poverty, and climate change—though with a tone and approach that reflect his own distinct style.

Leo, who also holds Peruvian citizenship, described himself in the interview as an American who continues to hold deep affection for Peru. He joked that if Peru and the United States were to face each other in a World Cup match, he would likely cheer for Peru.

Sunday marked Pope Leo’s 70th birthday, making him a relatively young pontiff by recent standards. His two immediate predecessors were several years older at the time of their election.

As he led the midday prayers from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, several groups in the crowd held up banners wishing him a happy birthday, while a band played a celebratory tune in his honor, CNN reported. Pope Leo thanked the faithful for their well-wishes, expressing gratitude to his parents and “all those who have remembered me in their prayers.”

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