Pope Leo Criticizes Elon Musk Pay, Warns UN Diplomacy Decline

Pope Leo, the first American pope, has publicly criticized the extreme disparity in executive compensation, highlighting Tesla’s $1 trillion pay plan for CEO Elon Musk as a sign of growing economic inequality. He noted that CEOs now earn up to 600 times more than typical workers, a stark increase from decades ago, and warned that valuing wealth above all else poses significant societal risks. Beyond economic issues, Pope Leo expressed concern over the United Nations’ diminished ability to effectively facilitate multilateral diplomacy on critical global matters. Reflecting on his new role, the pope admitted to a steep learning curve in balancing spiritual leadership with the demands of global diplomacy, emphasizing his commitment to peace efforts, particularly in conflict zones like the Middle East and Ukraine. His comments were made in his first media interview since his election, signaling a reserved but thoughtful approach compared to his predecessor. The pope’s remarks underscore his broader message advocating for social justice, renewed international cooperation, and dialogue.