Pope Leo XIV recently said he was worried about the migration and refugee crisis, wars, and the growing divide between rich and poor countries. He said, “The higher values of human life are collapsing.” But he stayed positive and said, “The strong may destroy history, but in the end, it is the humble who will save it.”
In an interview that came out on the 14th from the U.S. Catholic news site Crux, Pope Leo XIV severely attacked economic polarization. He talked about how Tesla CEO Elon Musk might get up to 1 trillion dollars (about 1,394 trillion Korean won) in performance-based pay. The Pope said, “Yesterday, there was news that Elon Musk would be the first trillionaire in the world.” If material value is the only thing that matters, we’re in big danger.
The Pope said, “The gap in income between the working class and the richest people has been getting bigger and bigger.” CEOs made four to six times as much as laborers sixty years ago. Now it is 600 times. He said, “There are many reasons for such polarization in the world,” and he linked it to “the loss of a higher sense of meaning in human life,” which includes “the values of human life, family, and society.”
The Pope remarked, “I have suggested several times that the Vatican could be a place for both countries to talk about the war between Russia and Ukraine.” He stressed how important “persuasion” and “communication” are, saying, “I have a lot of faith in human nature and believe we should never lose hope.”
He said, “There are bad things in the world, like people who do bad things and temptations.” Any job can have good or terrible reasons for being there. He did, however, highlight that it is important to keep pushing people to strive for higher, more real values. We have to believe in the good in people and keep telling them to find other ways to settle their differences.
The Pope remarked “Build bridges, not walls” on May 8, just after he was elected. He also urged for “constructing bridges of peace.” When asked what kind of bridges—political, social, cultural, or religious—he said, “The way to build bridges is through dialogue.” He said, “In theory, the United Nations should be the place to talk about these kinds of things, but people now think it can’t bring people together on global issues anymore.” People thought this was a criticism of how impotent the UN seems to be in battles like the ones in Ukraine and the Middle East.
The Pope said, “We must always remember that people can get over violence and hate that make us more divided.” He said that just a small number of people benefit from the existing political and economic divide, while other people suffer. He remarked, “So, it’s important to keep asking these questions about communication and dialogue.”
Pope Leo XIV sent a video greeting to the inhabitants of Lampedusa, Italy’s southernmost island and a place where North African refugees converge, on the 12th. In the last 20 years, tens of thousands of people have died trying to cross the Mediterranean from North Africa to Europe in old boats. Pope Francis went to Lampedusa in 2013, his first trip outside of Rome after he was elected. He asked, “Who will weep for the refugees?” Pope Leo XIV is also going to the island soon.
The Pope’s video address included comments that may be seen as condemning Donald Trump’s harsh immigration policy when he was president of the United States. He said, “Pope Francis spoke out against the globalization of indifference that started in Lampedusa.” That mindset seems to have turned into a feeling of powerlessness around the world when it comes to injustice and innocent suffering. He said, “We know what’s going on, but the biggest danger is to stand still, silent, and sad, asking, ‘What can we do against such a huge evil?'”
Pope Leo XIV said that this “globalization of helplessness is a product of lies,” which means that “it means that history has always been this way, recorded by the victors, and we can do nothing about it.” He said, “In reality, even if the strong destroy history, the humble will ultimately save it.” You can’t have justice without caring about people, and you can’t have legitimacy without hearing about their pain.
The Pope remarked, “Among the countless victims who died at sea are countless mothers and children,” referring to the refugees who died on Lampedusa. Their cries echo in our hearts as well as in heaven. He called the Mediterranean “Mare Nostrum,” which means “Our Sea” in Latin.
Pope Leo XIV turned 70 on the 14th. When he met those who wanted to wish him well at the Vatican, he stated, “I thank the Lord, my parents, and everyone who prayed for me.” Giorgia Meloni, the Prime Minister of Italy, commented on X, “The Pope’s words and teachings are a source of inspiration and a sure guide.” This is a very hard period when things are uncertain and change happens quickly and deeply. I pray that the Pope’s steps continue to be full of faith, courage, and hope.
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