On September 14, 2025, as the midday sun streamed across St. Peter’s Square, banners fluttered and a band struck up a birthday tune—a fittingly festive backdrop for an extraordinary moment in the Catholic Church’s long history. Pope Leo XIV, marking his 70th birthday, had just granted his first in-depth media interview, offering a candid glimpse into his priorities, his personal journey, and his vision for a deeply divided world. The interview, conducted over two sessions by Elise Ann Allen of Crux Media, was published on his birthday and will soon appear in Allen’s forthcoming biography of the pontiff.
In a world where headlines are often dominated by polarization and economic disparity, Pope Leo XIV’s words struck a chord. The first American pope in the Church’s two millennia, Leo did not shy away from the tough issues. He took aim at the widening chasm between the ultra-wealthy and the working class, calling out the staggering compensation of chief executives. "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," he told Allen, as reported by Crux and NPR.
He singled out Tesla’s Elon Musk—whose compensation package has made headlines worldwide and who, according to recent news reports, is poised to become the world’s first trillionaire. The pope’s question was pointed: "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." These remarks, aired on Fox News in a segment titled "Pope Leo XIV gives revealing interview on American identity," underscored his concern that society’s obsession with wealth risks eclipsing other fundamental values.
But Leo’s critique of inequality was just one facet of a broader reflection on the forces dividing both church and society. "We have to continue to remind ourselves of the potential that humanity has to overcome the violence and the hatred that is just dividing us more and more," he said. The pope lamented the rise of polarization, noting that, "if it’s helping anyone, it’s very few when everyone else is suffering." He attributed this deepening divide not only to economic factors but also to a "loss of the value of human life"—a theme he returned to repeatedly, alongside his emphasis on family and society as pillars that must never be lost.
His election on May 8, 2025, was historic not just for his nationality. Born in Chicago, Leo—formerly Robert Prevost—spent much of his adult life as a missionary and bishop in Peru before being appointed to a senior Vatican post by Pope Francis in 2023. This blend of American roots and Latin American experience, he suggested, has shaped his worldview. Asked if he felt more American or Peruvian, he replied, "both/and," explaining that his years in Latin America helped him understand the vision of Pope Francis and the importance of dialogue and participation in the church.
Indeed, dialogue—within the church and with the world—emerged as a central theme of Leo’s interview. He spoke at length about synodality, a concept he described as "an attitude, an openness, a willingness to understand." While some bishops and priests, he acknowledged, feel threatened by synodality, fearing it could undermine their authority, Leo insisted that this is a misunderstanding. "Synodality is a way to describe how we can come together and be a community and seek communion as a Church," he explained. Rather than reinforcing institutional hierarchy, synodality is about "we together," fostering a sense of shared mission and listening to one another.
He made clear, however, that synodality should not be confused with democracy. "Democracy is not necessarily a perfect solution to everything," he said, noting that the church’s approach must be rooted in its own traditions while remaining open to the world. Leo’s commitment to continuing Pope Francis’s advocacy on issues like migration, poverty, and climate change was evident, though he promised to bring his own style to the task.
The pope’s reflections were not limited to internal church affairs. He spoke with hope—and realism—about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. While praising the Vatican’s efforts to serve as a bridge for dialogue, he admitted the likelihood of the Holy See hosting peace talks between Russia and Ukraine is "not as realistic." Instead, he called for "a number of different actors" to push for peace, expressing "high hopes for human nature" and the possibility of reconciliation. Yet, he did not mince words about the limitations of current international institutions. "The United Nations has lost its ability to bring people together on multilateral issues," Leo observed, lamenting the organization’s diminished capacity for fostering dialogue on the world’s most pressing problems.
Despite the gravity of these topics, the interview also revealed the pope’s lighter side. He spoke affectionately about his love of sports—confessing a lifelong allegiance to the Chicago White Sox, though as pope, he now roots for all teams. "As pope, I’m a fan of all teams," he quipped, recalling how his mother was a Cubs fan and how, in the spirit of openness, he learned not to "shut out the other side." When pressed on whether he would support Peru or the United States in a World Cup match, he admitted he’d probably back Peru, "just because of affective bonds."
Leo was candid about the challenges of his new role. "There’s still a huge learning curve ahead of me," he said, describing the "totally new aspect" of being thrust into the global spotlight. Every word he speaks is now weighed and analyzed, a reality he has had to adapt to quickly. Yet, he remains focused on his "most fundamental role": to "confirm others in their faith."
As the world gets to know Pope Leo XIV, some questions remain—such as who will be appointed as the new prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and when the first official document of his pontificate will be released. But if his first interview is any indication, Leo’s papacy will be marked by a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths, a commitment to dialogue, and a deep faith in humanity’s ability to bridge its divides. For now, the Catholic world—and beyond—waits to see how these ideals will take shape in the years to come.