Pope Leo called out Elon Musk’s potential trillionaire deal, sparking a sharp response from Musk with a Bible verse. Here’s how it unfolded.
Elon Musk has responded with a pointed Bible verse after Pope Leo criticized his growing fortune and the possibility of becoming the world’s first trillionaire.
Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been making headlines after reports suggested he could secure a $1 trillion deal involving up to 423.7 million additional Tesla shares in the next decade. However, this would only happen if Tesla’s valuation jumps to $8.5 trillion — about eight times its current worth.
Pope Leo’s Criticism
Speaking to The Crux on his 70th birthday, Pope Leo — the first American pope — expressed concern over rising wealth inequality.
“We live in times when polarization seems to be one of the words of the day, but it’s not helping anybody,” he said.
Highlighting the extreme pay gap between workers and CEOs, Pope Leo added:
“CEOs that 60 years ago might have been making four to six times more than what workers received… the last figure I saw, it’s 600 times more.”
The Pope directly referenced Musk, saying:
“Yesterday there was news that Elon Musk is going to be the first trillionaire in the world. What does that mean? If that is the only thing that has value anymore, then we’re in big trouble.”
Musk’s Response
In response, Musk posted a Bible verse from Matthew 7:3-5:
“Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?”
"Why do you see the speck in your neighbor's eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?“ (Matthew 7:3-5). https://t.co/0kZyULAss8
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 16, 2025
Many interpreted this as Musk suggesting the Pope should address issues within the Catholic Church before criticizing his wealth.
Vatican Wealth Debate
Following Musk’s post, attention turned to the Vatican’s own finances. Hedge fund manager Kyle Bass claimed the Vatican’s total wealth could approach $2 trillion, citing extensive land ownership, tax exemptions, and investments.
While official estimates are unclear, the Vatican and the Holy See are known to hold billions in assets. However, much of the Catholic Church’s wealth lies in independent dioceses, parishes, and religious orders, making an exact figure impossible to verify.
UNILAD has reached out to the Vatican for comment.
