St. Malachy: Prophecy and the Popes

As I was looking around the internet for articles about the Pope, one in particular caught my eye. In fact, a Google search revealed a lot about this topic. Turns out that St. Malachy - the first Irish saint canonized by a pope - had quite the gift of prophecy. This 12th Century bishop had a vision of the next 112 popes (and anti-popes) starting in his current time. He wrote a short line of Latin text briefly describing some characteristic of each pope. Skeptics have had a hard time disproving these prophecies.

The 112th - and last - prophecy concludes, "the seven-hilled city [Rome] will be destroyed and the dreadful Judge will judge the people. The End." Friends, between April 17 and 22, the conclave of Cardinals will be sequestered in the Sistine Chapel for the sole purpose of electing the pope which corresponds to the 111th prophecy.

Here's what St. Malachy's prophecy said about the last three popes:

Paul VI - 1963-78. 108th prophecy: Flos florum - Flower of flowers. His coat of arms consisted of three fleurs-de-lis (iris blossoms).

John Paul I - 1978. 109th prophecy: De medietate Lunae - of the half of the moon. Born in the diocese of Belluno (beautiful moon) and baptized Albino Luciani (white light). He became pope on August 26, 1978, when the moon appeared exactly half full. It was in its waning phase. He died the following month, soon after an eclipse of the moon.

John Paul II - 1978-2005. 110th prophecy: De labore Solis - from the labor of the sun, or of the eclipse of the sun. Was born May 20, 1920 in Poland (coming from the East just as the sun does) during a near-total solar eclipse over Europe. His funeral on Friday corresponds with a near-total solar eclipse over the Pacific and Americas the same day. Has traveled around the around the world, "giving light to the entire world." Like the sun, he worked tirelessly and incessantly.

Here's what St. Malachy said about the next pope:

Gloria olivae - The Glory of the Olive. The Order of St. Benedict has claimed that this pope will come from their ranks. St. Benedict himself prophesied that before the end of the world his Order, known also as the Olivetans, will triumphantly lead the Catholic Church in its fight against evil.

Here's a thought I have: perhaps the next pope will take the name Benedict XVI???. Anyhow, the events of this next month could prove quite interesting.

And finally here is what St. Malachy wrote about the last pope - "In extreme persecution, the seat of the Holy Roman Church will be occupied by Peter the Roman, who will feed the sheep through many tribulations, at the term of which the city of seven hills will be destroyed, and the formidable Judge will judge his people. The End."

interestingly enough, if you read Tim LaHaye's and Bruce Jenkin's Left Behind series, you will note that the bad new pope in their story took the name Peter Maximus. No accident there.

Jesus said that we shouldn't try to set a date for his return, for only God the Father knows anyway. But he did say that we would be able to read the signs. This may or may not be a sign, but it's gotten my attention. For now I'm just sitting on the fence as far as this prophecy goes, but needless to say, I will be watching the election of the new pope with keen interest.

Keep watch, my brethren. Keep watch.

---

Source links:

www.crystalinks.com/papalprophecies.html

www.catholic-pages.com/grabbag/malachy.asp

http://newsmax.com/archives/ic/2005/4/3/180901.shtml