Recent headlines have highlighted a growing rift between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk. This brings to the forefront a reality we have lived with for a long time—namely, that a class of ultra-wealthy individuals holds significant sway over many of the most critical decisions in life, government, and society.

Political parties often accuse their opponents of being aligned with the rich and powerful while claiming to be champions of the “little guy.” However, history shows that political power has always been entangled with wealth, regardless of partisan affiliations.

With the papacy of Leo XIV now underway—drawing inspiration from the clarity of Catholic social teaching first articulated by Pope Leo XIII—it is more important than ever to reflect on what a Catholic response to oligarchy should be in our current political moment.

The Danger of Personal Whims Governing Society

The unfolding drama surrounding Elon Musk serves as a reminder of the dangers posed when powerful figures allow personal grievances to shape political discourse. Scripture warns against rulers whose whims dictate governance, often leading to injustice. The story of Naboth’s vineyard illustrates this danger: Jezebel’s corrupt influence resulted in oppression and divine punishment.

Similarly, as global attention turns to St. Peter’s Square, we should recall the tyrannical reign of Emperor Nero. His arbitrary and self-serving decisions led to widespread persecution of Christians, culminating in the martyrdom of the apostles Peter and Paul.

Marcus Peter, a dear friend, recently noted that while cities may not be burning today, we see widespread destruction in public discourse—tyrants allow their personal preferences to dictate governance rather than seeking the common good.

Rerum Novarum and the Inequities of Wealth

Reflecting on this issue, Pope Leo XIII’s encyclical Rerum Novarum offers profound insight: “The richer class have many ways of shielding themselves and stand less in need of help from the State; whereas the mass of the poor have no resources of their own to fall back upon and must chiefly depend upon the assistance of the State.”

Billionaires wield their influence with a kind of flippancy, taking extraordinary risks while knowing that, even in failure, they will be financially secure. This “golden parachute” underscores the worldview from which they operate.

Yet this security is ultimately an illusion. While billionaires may avoid immediate consequences, no action is truly without repercussions. Those who dismiss the concerns of the poor will ultimately have to answer for their actions. Before God, all stand in need of mercy.

The Spiritual Poverty of the Wealthy

Extreme wealth brings its own form of spiritual poverty— a profound danger for spiritual woundedness that comes from wielding power recklessly. As Catholics, we must uphold the Church’s teaching on the importance of seeing and caring for vulnerable populations both within our borders and around the world.

Perhaps our most powerful witness is to proclaim a God who is neither deaf to the cry of the poor nor blind to their wounds. Psalm 34 reminds us: “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.”

A Call to Justice and Mercy

In moments when figures of immense power play out personal grievances on a global stage, we must remember that God hears the cry of the afflicted. Our calling is to be righteous and to cry out—to live as witnesses to God’s mercy and justice.

In the divine economy, wealth holds no intrinsic value—it only bears responsibility. Each of us will be held accountable for what we have done with what we have been given. May the tremendous spiritual burden placed upon those in authority be, by God’s grace, an account of mercy and fidelity.