Epstein's Vulgar Email About Pope Francis Revealed

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Newly released Justice Department files show that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein once sent a vulgar email to his brother suggesting he invite Pope Francis over for a "massage" and making a crude joke about the Pope becoming sexually aroused. The email was sent in 2015 during Pope Francis' visit to the U.S., when the Pope stayed in an apartment near Epstein's own residence in New York.

Why it matters

The email is seen as emblematic of Epstein's contempt for the Catholic Church and its moral authority, as the disgraced financier surrounded himself with Vatican critics and developed an intense interest in the inner workings of the Church despite not being Catholic himself. The revelation comes as the Catholic Church continues to grapple with the fallout from the clergy sex abuse scandal and faces criticism from conservative factions opposed to the more progressive leadership of Pope Francis and his successor.

The details

In the poorly written email, Epstein suggested "inviting him [the Pope] for a massage" and made a lewd joke about the Pope sexually climaxing during the encounter. The email was a reply to Epstein's brother Mark, who had discussed the Pope's upcoming visit to New York that year. Epstein's vulgar message was seen by observers as emblematic of his contempt for the Catholic Church and its moral authority.

• The email was sent on September 23, 2015, during Pope Francis' visit to the United States.
• Pope Francis stayed overnight in an apartment not far from Epstein's residence in New York during the visit.

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