Steve Bannon courted Epstein in his efforts to ‘take down’ Pope Francis

Steve Bannon Courted Epstein in Pursuit of Disrupting Pope Francis

Newly disclosed government documents hint at a strategic alliance between former Trump advisor Steve Bannon and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, aimed at challenging the authority of Pope Francis. These communications, dated 2019, were unearthed in a recent batch of files from the U.S. Department of Justice, shedding light on Bannon’s efforts to leverage Epstein’s connections for political ends.

Bannon’s Rivalry with the Pope

Bannon, who had previously criticized Pope Francis as a barrier to his nationalist vision, sought Epstein’s support to undermine the pontiff’s influence. The documents suggest Epstein played a role in advancing Bannon’s agenda, with the former adviser expressing his intent to “take down” Francis in a June 2019 message. “The Clintons, Xi, Francis, EU – come on brother,” Bannon wrote, indicating his target list.

Epstein’s Role in the Strategy

Epstein, who was arrested for sex trafficking just months before his death, was already a key figure in Bannon’s network. The files reveal he was actively engaged in discussions with Bannon about strategies to weaken the Vatican’s stance. Bannon’s messages, which reference the 2019 book “In the Closet of the Vatican,” show a focus on exposing internal secrets within the Church.

The Book and Its Significance

The book, authored by French journalist Frédéric Martel, sparked controversy by claiming 80% of Vatican clergy are gay, highlighting secrecy and hypocrisy in religious institutions. Bannon, who met Martel in Paris, expressed interest in adapting the work into a film, suggesting Epstein could serve as its executive producer. “You are now exec producer of ‘ITCOTV’,” Bannon noted, implying a potential partnership.

Expert Reactions to the Alliance

Analysts argue that Bannon underestimated the book’s impact, as noted by biographer Austen Ivereigh, who said the former adviser “badly misjudged the nature of the book – and Pope Francis.” Meanwhile, Vatican official Rev. Antonio Spadaro emphasized the broader goal: to merge spiritual authority with political power. “What those messages reveal is not merely hostility toward a pontiff, but a deeper attempt to instrumentalize faith,” Spadaro explained.

Context of Epstein’s Involvement

Bannon’s collaboration with Epstein occurred after the financier’s 2008 conviction for child sex offenses and before his 2019 arrest for trafficking minors. The timing underscores how Epstein’s network became a tool for Bannon’s ideological campaign, targeting figures he viewed as obstacles to his “sovereigntist” movement.

Epstein’s role in this effort highlights the intersection of personal and political ambitions. As the documents show, Bannon’s messaging combined critiques of the Vatican’s policies with broader attacks on globalist elites, framing the Pope as a symbol of the system he sought to dismantle.

“Will take down (Pope) Francis,” Bannon wrote to Epstein in June 2019.

“I think he badly misjudged the nature of the book – and Pope Francis,” Ivereigh told CNN.

“What those messages reveal is not merely hostility toward a pontiff, but a deeper attempt to instrumentalize faith,” Spadaro explained.