Pope Leo has voiced sharp concern over Elon Musk’s proposed trillion-dollar pay deal, warning that growing income inequality is pushing the world into dangerous territory, as reported by The Guardian. In his first media interview since becoming pontiff, Leo described executive pay packages as “trouble,” stressing the risks of an ever-widening wealth gap between billionaires and workers. His remarks came as Tesla’s board confirmed its unprecedented incentive scheme that could make Musk the world’s first trillionaire.
Executive Pay Criticism
In his interview with Elise Ann Allen of Crux, Pope Leo strongly criticized excessive CEO pay. He said that decades ago, top executives earned four to six times more than workers, but today the ratio has ballooned to over 600. “We’re in big trouble,” the pope warned, pointing to Musk’s potential trillionaire status as a clear example of the imbalance.
Musk’s Record-Breaking Deal
Earlier this month, Tesla’s board revealed a trillion-dollar incentive package for Musk, contingent on his meeting strict targets. In its official filing, Tesla underlined the scale of the deal with the note: “Yes, you read that correctly.” If successful, Musk’s personal wealth could reach unprecedented levels, reshaping debates on corporate governance and executive compensation.
Tesla’s Growth Targets
The package requires Musk to raise Tesla’s value from its current $1 trillion to $8.5 trillion within the next decade. This ambitious benchmark underscores Tesla’s confidence in its expansion across electric vehicles, energy storage, and AI-driven technologies. However, the staggering figure has triggered global debate over wealth concentration and fairness.
Pope Questions Value System
Leo questioned what such immense wealth means for society, warning of misplaced values. Yesterday, there was news that Elon Musk is going to be the first trillionaire in the world. What does that mean, and what’s that about? If that is the only thing that has value anymore, then we’re in big trouble,” he said. His comments highlight the church’s concern about prioritizing profit over people.
First US Pope’s Outlook
Leo, elected in May after Pope Francis’s death, is the first US-born pontiff in history. He turned 70 this week and admitted there is still a “huge learning curve ahead of me.” Despite his understated style compared to Francis, Leo has already indicated he will not shy away from speaking on inequality and justice.
Relations With US Politics
Like Francis, Leo has expressed progressive views and has previously criticized Donald Trump’s immigration policies on social media. His remarks on inequality are expected to resonate strongly in US political debates. Meanwhile, Brian Burch, Trump’s new ambassador to the Vatican, sought to ease tensions by presenting Leo with a chocolate birthday cake on Saturday.
A Pontiff Focused on Justice
Though more low-key than his predecessor, Leo is making clear that social justice and fairness will remain central to his papacy. By spotlighting Musk’s potential trillionaire status, the pope is positioning himself as a vocal critic of extreme wealth concentration in an era of growing inequality.