For the first time, an address from the leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics will be read out to the political and business elite at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Tuesday.

The event sees global leaders congregate to discuss pressing world issues.

Since taking up his post in March 2013, Pope Francis has been outspoken about the problem of income equality, a central topic of this year’s conference.

The papal address comes on the heels of an Oxfam report that found 85 of the world’s richest people now own nearly half of the world’s wealth.

Pope Francis has wasted no time in reaching out to global decision-makers. He issued a public letter to G20 leaders in September, urging them to develop “a global financial framework with its own just and clear rules … to achieve a more equitable and fraternal world.”

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