Steve Bannon on Pope Francis
TL;DR
Steve Bannon has actively aligned with conservative Catholic factions intending to undermine Pope Francis’s progressive leadership and global agenda.
Key Points
He aligns with Vatican hardliners, such as Cardinal Raymond Burke, who oppose Pope Francis's emphasis on welcoming immigrants and refugees.
In 2014, Bannon expressed support for a "church militant" to fight a perceived "new barbarity," contrasting with the pontiff's calls for dialogue.
Newly revealed correspondence shows Steve Bannon discussed a plan with Jeffrey Epstein in 2019 to use a documentary to discredit Pope Francis.
Summary
Steve Bannon has positioned himself as a vocal critic and potential antagonist to Pope Francis, aligning with traditionalist Catholic hardliners who oppose the pontiff’s direction. This opposition stems from a fundamental clash in worldviews: while the Pope emphasizes dialogue, inclusion, and global concerns like migration and climate change, Bannon champions a nationalist, "Judeo-Christian West in a crisis" narrative that views Islam as an adversarial force. Bannon's outlook, which has been compared to far-right groups of the 1920s and 1930s, sharply contrasts with Francis’s pastoral, rather than ideological, approach to doctrine and his welcoming stance toward immigrants.
This opposition has recently been linked to efforts to challenge the papacy, with newly released files revealing that Bannon discussed strategies with financier Jeffrey Epstein to potentially discredit the Pope. Bannon expressed enthusiasm for adapting a book critical of alleged hypocrisy regarding homosexuality in the Vatican, stating the project "Will take down Francis." This collaboration with anti-Francis figures, including figures issuing dubia against the Pope's teachings, highlights his investment in a showdown to redefine both Americanism and Catholicism in opposition to the current Vatican leadership.
Frequently Asked Questions
Steve Bannon holds a strongly negative position on Pope Francis, viewing him as a leader whose progressive globalist agenda must be opposed. He has actively sought alliances with conservative Catholic figures critical of the pontiff’s stewardship and teachings.
The provided information suggests a consistent pattern of opposition since at least 2014, when he spoke to an ultra-traditionalist group. His continued discussions years later about undermining the Pope indicate the position remains strongly negative and actively pursued.
Steve Bannon indicated an interest in producing a film based on a book critical of the Vatican's internal culture, explicitly stating the project "Will take down Francis." This shows a proactive intent to use media to challenge the papacy.
Sources5
Steve Bannon vs. Pope Francis?
Epstein files reveal ties to Catholic conservatives' anti-Francis campaign
Steve Bannon: Former Trump adviser aligns with Vatican hardliners who oppose Pope Francis
Steve Bannon, a former White House adviser to US President Donald Trump, discussed...
Bannon, Epstein and Pope Francis
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.