Documents recently released by the US Department of Justice reveal that former White House adviser Steve Bannon discussed strategies with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein aimed at undermining the late Pope Francis.
The messages, sent in 2019, show Bannon expressing a desire to “take down” the pope, whom he viewed as opposed to his nationalist-populist vision. Bannon had previously criticized Francis as siding with “globalist elites” and saw the pontiff as an obstacle to his political agenda in Europe and the US.
Bannon also explored turning French journalist Frédéric Martel’s 2019 book, In the Closet of the Vatican, into a film and suggested Epstein could serve as an executive producer. The book had highlighted secrecy and issues within the Vatican clergy. Martel later stated that Bannon sought to instrumentalize the book against the pope, but he could not agree to any film deal as the rights were already committed to another company.
While Bannon repeatedly messaged Epstein about the pope, there is no indication that any plans came to fruition. Vatican insiders, including Rev. Antonio Spadaro, noted that Bannon’s efforts reflected a desire to fuse spiritual authority with political power for strategic ends, a dynamic Pope Francis actively resisted.
Bannon’s broader efforts in 2018–2019 also included ties with Italian conservative groups and attempts to establish political training initiatives near Rome, such as the controversial Trisulti Monastery, though Epstein was reportedly not involved in that project.
The DOJ files additionally show Epstein making offhand comments about hosting the pope for a “massage” during the 2015 US papal visit and later discussing organizing trips for Francis to the Middle East, highlighting his pattern of mixing personal and political intrigue.
No formal actions were taken against Pope Francis, and the Vatican cleared the pontiff of allegations concerning abuse cover-ups, despite attacks from some conservative factions during this period.
Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein or allegations of sexual misconduct.
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