Newly released Justice Department files show that in 2019, former Trump White House strategist Steve Bannon exchanged messages with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein about opposing Pope Francis. In one message, Bannon wrote that he would “take down” the pontiff, grouping Francis with political figures he viewed as adversaries, including the Clintons and China’s Xi Jinping.

The messages suggest Bannon sought Epstein’s support in efforts to undermine the pope after leaving the first Trump administration. Bannon had long criticized Francis, whom he regarded as an obstacle to his nationalist-populist agenda. During that period, Bannon was working to build a Europe-wide right-wing political movement and had established a presence in Rome, including efforts to create a political training academy near the Vatican.

The correspondence references “In the Closet of the Vatican,” a 2019 book by French journalist Frédéric Martel examining secrecy and hypocrisy within the Church hierarchy. Bannon appeared interested in adapting the book into a film and suggested Epstein could serve as executive producer. It is unclear how serious the proposal was. Martel later said he believed Bannon wanted to use the book to damage Pope Francis, but that film rights were already controlled by his publishers.

The files also show Epstein sending Bannon articles critical of Francis and discussing broader church controversies. At one point, Epstein quoted John Milton’s “Paradise Lost” in a message to Bannon after the Vatican condemned populist nationalism.

Critics of Bannon argue the messages reveal an attempt to merge political strategy with religious authority for ideological ends. Vatican figures close to Francis said the late pope consistently resisted efforts to fuse faith with partisan political movements.

The exchanges occurred years after Epstein’s 2008 conviction and shortly before his 2019 arrest on federal sex trafficking charges. There is no public evidence that any proposed collaboration between Bannon and Epstein moved beyond discussion. Trump has denied wrongdoing related to Epstein.

History often rhymes in strange ways…. political movements courting spiritual legitimacy while spiritual leaders warn against nationalism dressed up as theology. Power and piety have been dancing that uneasy waltz for centuries.