Pope Leo XIV Advocates for Social Justice, Synodality, and Peace Amid Income Inequality and Polarization

ROME – In his inaugural interview as the new head of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV expressed concerns over income disparity, societal division, and the urgent need for peace.

“We must continually remind ourselves of humanity’s potential to surmount the violence and animosity that are increasingly tearing us apart,” said Leo during the interview. “In today’s climate, polarization seems to be a popular term, but it isn’t benefiting anyone. On the contrary, it’s causing immense suffering for many.”

The interview, spanning two sessions over recent weeks and published by Catholic news outlet Crux on his 70th birthday, offers a first insight into Leo’s character and priorities.

During his conversation with Crux’s senior Vatican correspondent, Elise Ann Allen, Leo hinted at continuity with his predecessor Pope Francis, as well as the latter’s vision for dialogue and full participation in the church, known as synodality.

Positioning himself as a pope of reconciliation, Leo explored the reasons behind the escalating polarization in society and the Church today. He attributed this phenomenon to various factors, among which he highlighted the COVID-19 pandemic, a sense of devaluation of human life, and the growing disparity between the wealthy and the working class.

“Another significant factor,” Leo said, “is the widening chasm between the income levels of CEOs and their employees.” He also criticized extreme wealth among billionaires, such as Elon Musk, stating that “it’s a question of fairness and social justice.”

Shortly following his election on May 8, the pope revealed that he chose the name Leo in honor of Pope Leo XIII, who addressed societal issues arising from the Industrial Revolution in the late 19th century. Leo XIII’s encyclical “Rerum Novarum” advocated for the working class, fair wages, and labor unions, while opposing communism and unregulated capitalism.

In the Crux interview, Pope Leo XIV questioned the disproportionate income gap between modern CEOs and their employees and challenged the wealth of billionaires and trillionaires like Elon Musk. “What does this represent and what’s its purpose? If such wealth is considered the only valuable asset, we are heading towards troubling times.”

The pope described synodality, a concept deeply rooted in Latin American Church, as the “antidote” to the deep divisions in the Church and society. He defined it as “an open-mindedness, a willingness to understand and learn.” He admitted that some church leaders feel threatened by synodality due to a misunderstanding of their authority. Leo explained that a synodal Church encourages active participation from each member based on their respective roles as bishop, priest, missionary, layperson, or family member.

“Synodality is an attitude that can teach the world valuable lessons,” said Leo. “I believe this approach offers a solution to many of the challenges we face today. By reflecting on the gospel and working together, we can build a stronger, more unified Church and a better world.”

Leo expressed his hopes for continuing the process of instilling synodality in the Church to create a united, active Church engaged with the world. He clarified that synodality should not be confused with democracy, emphasizing that it is about fostering understanding and unity rather than political structures.

The pope also addressed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, praising the Holy See’s diplomatic efforts to act as a mediator between warring parties. However, he noted that the possibility of the Vatican hosting peace talks between Russia and Ukraine is “not entirely feasible.”

“I believe that various actors need to collaborate to persuade the parties at war to seek alternative means for resolving their differences,” Leo stated. He expressed optimism about humanity’s capacity for peace, despite acknowledging that the United Nations has lost its ability to bring nations together on global issues.

In a more personal portion of the interview, Leo discussed his early days as Pope. “I am still learning and adapting to this new role,” he admitted. He emphasized that his primary responsibility is to reinforce faith among the faithful.

When asked about his national identity, Leo answered by saying, “I identify with both America, where I was born, and Peru, where I spent most of my life as a priest and missionary.” He added that his experiences in Latin America helped him understand some of Pope Francis’s visions for the Church.

Although he professed to be a fan of the Chicago White Sox baseball team, he stated, “As pope, I am a fan of all teams.” He emphasized the importance of sportsmanship and camaraderie, while revealing that when Peru and the United States compete in the World Cup, he will likely support Peru due to emotional ties.

The entire interview will be featured in Allen’s biography of the pope, “Leo XIV: Citizen of the World, Missionary of the XXI Century,” set for publication in Spanish on Sep 18 and in Portuguese and English in early 2026.