Pope Questions Musk's 600-Fold CEO Pay

In First Interview Since Taking Office, Pope References Musk's Compensation Plan
Expresses Concern Over Widening Wealth Gap
Musk's Compensation Package Valued at $975 Billion

Pope Leo XIV, in his first interview since taking office, expressed concerns about the widening gap between the rich and poor, referencing the performance-based compensation package of Elon Musk, Chief Executive Officer of Tesla.

Reuters Yonhap News

In an interview with the Catholic media outlet Crux, released on September 14 (local time), Leo XIV said, "Yesterday, there was an article stating that CEO Musk could become the world's first trillionaire. If this is the only thing that is valued, we are facing a serious problem."

On September 5, the Tesla board of directors proposed a new compensation plan for CEO Elon Musk, which would grant him a massive payout based on future business performance. According to the proxy statement submitted to financial authorities that day, the board outlined the "2025 CEO Performance Compensation Plan," under which Musk would receive 423,743,904 shares-equivalent to 12% of all common stock-over 12 stages by 2035.

Assuming the current number of shares outstanding remains unchanged, the maximum value of this compensation package is estimated at approximately 975 billion dollars (about 1.353 trillion Korean won). This is the largest in the history of American corporations.

The Pope stated, "Sixty years ago, CEOs earned four to six times more than workers, but recent figures show they earn 600 times more than the average worker. Perhaps in some places, this is related to the loss of the more noble meaning of human life."

He spoke about the value of human life, family, and society, emphasizing, "If we lose our sense of these values, what will matter anymore?"

Leo XIV also addressed the Vatican's role in global conflicts such as the war in Ukraine, saying, "I want to distinguish between being a voice advocating for peace and acting as a mediator. The two are very different, and the latter is not as realistic as the former."

He added, "Since the beginning of the war, the Vatican has strived to maintain a truly neutral stance, no matter how difficult, never siding with either party. I firmly believe we must never give up hope. I have great faith in human nature."