Trump's former advisor Steve Bannon made eerie prediction about first American pope days before his election

Prior to his election yesterday (8 May), new pope Cardinal Robert Prevost was considered somewhat of an underdog.

During the conclave, it was speculated that Pietro Parolin, Peter Erdö, Luis Antonio Tagle, Matteo Zuppi, or Raymond Leo were possibly the 'favourites' to succeed the late Pope Francis, who died last month aged 88.

Apparently, however, one man saw Chicago-born Prevost's unexpected victory coming a mile off - and it's none other than controversial political advisor Steve Bannon.

The 71-year-old media executive, who previously served as a counsellor to Republican leader Donald Trump, appeared for a television interview following Francis' passing, where he was asked about the future of the Catholic Church.

Speaking to British television host Piers Morgan, right-wing leaner Bannon discussed Prevost, who just so happens to be the first ever American national to rise to the position of pontiff, and will henceforth be known as Pope Leo XIV.

Bannon admitted, however, that the American's election would come as a surprise to many.

"I do think one of the dark horses, and I think, unfortunately, he’s one of the most progressive, is Cardinal Prevost," the former political strategist explained. "I don’t think he’s getting enough play.

"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 shortlist."

The latter remark referred to 69-year-old Prevost's work in Peru, where he lived and served in the Augustinian mission for over 10 years, teaching canon law, acting as a judge in the regional ecclesiastical court, and criticising the crimes committed Peru's ex-president Alberto Fujimori.

Prevost will now go by Pope Leo XIV (ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)

The former cardinal was made a national of the South American hotspot in 2015.

Despite his ties to Peru, Bannon previously told press he believed Prevost mightn't be within a chance of ascending to the papacy due to his American birth, being that no US national had been named pope before.

"I think it’s pretty shocking given the contempt they hold [for] the American church," he hit out last month.

"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."

Following Prevost's rise to the papal position, Trump described his win as a 'great honour for our country'.

"Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope," the 78-year-old Republican wrote on her social media platform Truth Social. "It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope.

"What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!"