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Trump’s new chief strategist may declare war against the Vatican

Trump’s new chief strategist may declare war against the Vatican

Posted February. 10, 2017 07:23,   

Updated February. 10, 2017 07:28

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Concern is simmering that Chief Strategist Steve Bannon, a close confidant to President Trump and a devout Catholic, might declare war against the Vatican. It is feared that Bannon will orchestrate a covert scheme to keep Pope Francis in check, an exponent of progressive values, which goes against the conservative policy direction that the Trump administration is pursuing.

According to the New York Times on Wednesday, Bannon is close with conservative Catholic figures including Cardinal Raymond Burke, a harsh critic of Pope Francis. Bannon and other conservative Catholics consider Islam as a serious threat to Western civilization and perceive the waning power of traditional Christian values as a crisis. They are also critical of some of the points that the pope has emphasized such as protection and support of refugees and the poor, addressing disparity of wealth, reconciliation and coexistence among religions, and environmental protection. Bannon appeared in a show of Breitbart News, a far-right commentary website founded by the chef strategist himself, and denounced the pope, saying “It appears that Pope Francis is forcing Italians and Europeans to welcome refugees and provide houses for them.”

The New York Times pointed out that Bannon is trying to join forces with “anti-Francis” Catholic factions who label Pope Francis as radical or socialist, forming a close tie similar to that he is establishing with the far-right political parties in West Europe. The newspaper forecast that the anti-Francis factions may readily grab the extended hand, seeing it as an opportunity to turn the tables around in the Vatican on the back of the inauguration of the Trump administration and Bannon’s immense clout. The newspaper expressed concern that the pope, who was a de facto ally to the U.S. during the Obama administration, might find himself isolated from the international community, with the advent of the Trump administration.



Se-Hyung Lee turtle@donga.com