Recent documents from the U.S. Department of Justice have unveiled disturbing communications between Steve Bannon, a former senior advisor to Donald Trump, and Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender. These files show that Bannon actively sought collaborative strategies to undermine Pope Francis, evidencing a confluence of political agendas aimed at influencing the Vatican's authority.
In a text message from June 2019, Bannon asserted, "Will take down Francis," linking this objective to broader adversarial figures such as the Clintons and Xi Jinping. This rhetoric reflects Bannon's longstanding criticism of Pope Francis, whom he perceives as an advocate for global elitism and a challenge to his own "sovereigntist" philosophy.
Central to their discussions was the potential adaptation of Frédéric Martel's controversial book, In the Closet of the Vatican, into a documentary film. The work has sparked outrage among conservatives due to its claims about the sexual orientation of a significant portion of the Vatican clergy. Martel noted that Bannon had expressed enthusiasm about the film project during their meetings, although Martel ultimately did not pursue Bannon's offer for adaptation, maintaining control over the book's rights through his French publisher.
These communications also contained Bannon's criticisms of the Vatican's progressive stances on issues like immigration and global equity. Bannon's correspondence with Epstein revealed a dismissive attitude toward the papacy, with Epstein even making lewd comments about Francis during past discussions.
The recently uncovered files indicate a wider network of conservative figures, including traditionalist Catholics, who have aligned against Pope Francis in what some see as a coordinated effort to "purify" the Church. Observers have noted that the collaboration between Bannon and Epstein showcases not just a personal partnership, but also a significant intersection of political and religious objectives.
As investigations into Epstein's connections continue, these revelations may shed further light on the complex interplay between politics and religious authority in contemporary discourse. The implications of this partnership between Bannon and Epstein extend beyond the Vatican into broader socio-political dynamics, raising questions about the influence of personal networks on institutional power structures.