Bannon Predicted Last Week That ‘Progressive’ Cardinal Prevost Was the Dark Horse to Become Pope

Steve Bannon predicted that American Cardinal Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, was a “dark horse” to succeed Pope Francis, almost a full week ago. Bannon made the prediction in an interview with Piers Morgan in late April, titled, “Should Next Pope ‘Make The Vatican Great Again’?”

“I do think one of the dark horses, and I think, unfortunately, he’s one of the most progressive, is Cardinal Prevost. I don’t think he’s getting enough play,” Bannon told Morgan.

Notably, Prevost was considered a candidate for the papacy, but his being an American was widely seen as disqualifying, as there had never been an American Pope.

“He’s certainly on the short list, and I think it’s pretty shocking given the contempt they hold the American church. The American church gives so much money, they’re afraid it has too much power. So they’ve never really wanted to have an American pope,” Bannon explained, adding:

But my understanding is Prevost is one of the ones closest to Francis ideologically. He’s also had tremendous experience in Latin America. And so he’s one of the ones on the short list. I’m a big believer that Cardinal Sarah from Africa would be a perfect selection right now for this moment in the church. But I will tell everybody, this is anybody’s game right now between Parolin, one of those traditionalists.

You have no earthly idea how this is gonna turn out. That’s why I think this time, this run-up is so important. And it’s kind of, it’s interesting that it’s ironic, it’s gonna take place, it’s going to kick off, I think on the– either the day of or the day before the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe. So it’s very symbolic of what’s coming together here in the first part of May.

After the new Pope was announced, many in the MAGA base were quick to express their anger. Trump ally and MAGA influencer Laura Loomer, for example, slammed Pope Leo XIV as the “MARXIST POPE!” for his past comments.

Political reporter Dave Weigel noted Bannon is on a bit of a prediction streak of late, writing, “First Trump endorses a higher tax bracket, now this. Bannon piling up Ws.”

Watch the clip above.