Former Trump adviser plotted with Epstein to overthrow Pope Francis

Former White House adviser Steve Bannon discussed opposition strategies against Pope Francis with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to new documents released by the US Department of Justice.

Messages exchanged between them in 2019, made public as part of a wide-ranging document release last month, show that Bannon had sought Epstein's support in efforts to undermine Pope Francis after his departure from Donald Trump's first administration.

In one of the June 2019 messages, Bannon wrote: "We will overthrow (Pope) Francis. Clintons, Xi, Francis, EU - come on brother."

The reference to "Xi" is thought to be directed at Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Bannon has long been a fierce critic of the late Pope, whom he considered an obstacle to his "sovereignist" vision - a form of populist nationalism that gained ground in Europe during 2018-2019.

In an interview with British media in 2018, he described the Pope as "in contempt", accusing him of aligning himself with "globalist elites".

Justice Department documents also suggest that Epstein had assisted Bannon in efforts to build an internationally based political movement.

Rome and the Vatican have been important centers for Bannon's activity: while running Breitbart News, he opened an office in Rome and was involved in efforts to create a political training academy near the Italian capital, with the aim of defending Judeo-Christian values.

In the past, Bannon has urged European right-wing figures, including current Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, to toughen their stances against the Pope, while Salvini has often used Christian symbolism and rhetoric in promoting his anti-immigration agenda.

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