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The Pope’s remark came weeks before Tesla announced its plan to pay Musk a trillion-dollar salary if he meets a series of ambitious targets
Leo, who has Peruvian citizenship, described himself in the interview as an American who still loves Peru. He said he would probably support Peru in a soccer match against the United States, if they were to play against each other in the World Cup. (Photos: AP file)
In a veiled jibe at Tesla boss Elon Musk, Pope Leo XIV has said that the chief executives of big firms are getting 600 times more pay than the average worker. Leo blamed income inequality as one of the factors behind polarisation in society.
“CEOs that 60 years ago might have been making four to six times more than what the workers are receiving … it’s (now) 600 times more than the average workers are receiving,” the Pope told a Catholic news site Crux in an interview in July.
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Commenting on the news reports that the Tesla chief was on track to become the world’s first trillionaire, the first American pope said, “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.”
The Pope’s remark came weeks before Tesla announced its plan to pay Musk a trillion-dollar salary if he meets a series of ambitious targets.
Reiterating appeals to end the Russia-Ukraine war, Leo said the United Nations has “lost its ability to bring people together on multilateral issues.
Leo, who has Peruvian citizenship, described himself in the interview as an American who still loves Peru. He said he would probably support Peru in a soccer match against the United States, if they were to play against each other in the World Cup.
In May this year, Leo became the first pope from the United States in the Catholic Church’s 2,000-year history.
Sunday marked Leo’s 70th birthday, which makes him a relatively youthful pope given that his last two predecessors were several years older than him when they were elected.
As he led the midday prayers from the balcony of St. Peter’s, several groups in the crowd held up banners wishing him a happy birthday while a band played him a birthday song.
About the Author
Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter –twitter.com/saurabhkverma19
Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter –twitter.com/saurabhkverma19
Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
September 15, 2025, 17:33 IST
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