With no little venom, certain anti-Catholics have been claiming on podcasts that Jeffrey Epstein had infiltrated the Vatican, had a business relationship with Pontiffs, and even had stayed on the Vatican premises.
There seems little to nor merit to the vitriol, which was also sparked by the fact that Epstein kept a photo of himself and cohort Ghislaine Maxwell meeting John Paul II. These photos were displayed both at his massive and notorious Manhattan townhouse and on his Caribbean island.
However, the photos show what looks very much like a receiving line that many thousands participate in every year in St. Peter’s Square or elsewhere and nothing like a personal meeting. Tickets for a Papal Audience or to meet the Pope are collected at the Bronze Door (Portone di Bronzo), located under the right-hand colonnade in St. Peter’s Square.
It is curious how bowled over both Epstein and Maxwell were, considering the unfortunate and sordid lives they led (prayer need indeed). The photograph reportedly was taken in 2003 at a public audience where, as mentioned, they were among many others blessed by Pope John Paul II.
Newly released files do show that in 2019, former White House advisor Steve Bannon and Epstein discussed strategies to “take down” Pope Francis, suggesting the Vatican was viewed as a geopolitical target by their network. Epstein appeared to be interested in the Vatican’s financial mechanisms, specifically the Vatican Bank, and held a generally disdainful view of the Catholic Church, despite his connection to the 2003 audience.
Was Epstein (as also claimed) involved with the arcane mystical Jewish practice of Kabbalah?
While he and Maxwell had a certain connection with yoga, his involvement with other esoteric practices seemed tacit. E-mails obtained from Jeffrey Epstein’s files indicated he purchased books that covered topics including the occult, Kabbalah, tantra, and Thelema.
As we have previously pointed out, there have been unverified claims surrounding Epstein’s interests, including interests in “satanic” or “black magic” rituals, which have often been raised in the context of the conspiracy theories surrounding his activities.
Maxwell did have an obsession with the “lost” continent of Atlantis and the New Age themes of the legend seemed engendered on the island, with its arcane gold dome, owl statue, representation of Poseidon or Neptune, and other features. Maxwell’s father owned a publishing house called Pergammon.
Pergamon (modern-day Bergama, Turkey) is identified in Revelation 2:12-13 as the site of “Satan’s throne” and “where Satan dwells,” due to its intense pagan worship—including the Altar of Zeus, Asclepius, and the imperial cult—and the martyrdom of Antipas. It was one of the seven churches addressed by Jesus, praised for holding fast to faith despite extreme pressure but criticized for tolerating heretical doctrines.