Overview
- The pope criticizes widening income disparities, citing CEOs now earning about 600 times the average worker and questioning reports that Elon Musk could become the first trillionaire.
- Calling peace the only answer, he urges publics and international actors to pressure parties in the Russia–Ukraine war to end the fighting and pursue another way.
- He cautions that the Church’s synodal process should not be turned into a form of democratic government, arguing democracy is not a perfect remedy for every context.
- The remarks come from long interviews recorded for a book by journalist Elise Ann Crux, with excerpts released by El Comercio and Crux around his 70th birthday.
- He reflects on his identity and role, saying he feels very American, holds deep affection for Peru, will back Peru at the World Cup, and is still learning as pope.