May 8, 2005
Is Benedict XVI Next-to-Last Pope?
The election of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany as Pope Benedict XVI -- the 265th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church -- has generated speculation that he may be the next-to-last pope before “The End.”
Saint Malachy, an Irish Bishop, is said to have gone to Rome in 1139 to discuss parish problems with Pope Innocent II. There, he fell into a trance and experienced a vision of the next 112 popes and their identifying mottoes.
These were written down and presented to the Holy Father.
The list is alleged to have lain in the Vatican archives until discovered and published in 1590. The late Pope John Paul II was 110 on the list. Newly elected Pope Benedict XVI is 111.
ON THE SHORT LIST – Joseph Ratzinger, newly elected Pope Benedict XVI.
Regarding the last pontiff, the manuscript says:
“In extreme persecution, the seat of the Holy Roman Church will be occupied by Peter the Roman who will feed the sheep (flock) through many tribulations -- at the term of which the city of seven hills (Rome) will be destroyed, and the formidable Judge (God) will judge the people. The End.”
At issue is the significance of Malachy’s last, short prediction. Was it the end of the vision-list -- or the end of creation?
Those who believe in prophecies, posit that the last pope will reign at Armageddon “end times” forecast by the biblical Revelations.
Others believe the Papacy will cease when all sects of Christians and Jews unite as one church. Still others contend nothing will happen.
Nevertheless, St. Malachy’s list compiled for the respected Catholic-Pages.com is provocative. The last six popes on his list suffice for example.
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| Pius XII | 1939-58 | “Pastor Angelicus” (Angelic Shepherd). He is believed to have received visions and was so revered that people knelt when receiving phone calls from him. |
| John XXIII | 1958-63 | “Pastor et Nauta” (Marine Pastor). Before his election, he was patriarch of the marine city Venice. |
| Paul VI | 1963-78 | “Flos Florum” (Flower of Flowers). His coat or arms displayed three lilies. |
| John Paul | 1978 | “De Medietate Lunae” (Of the Half of the Moon). He was elected pope in August at the half- moon and died a month later at the half-moon. |
| John Paul II | 1978-2005 | “De Labore Solis.” (Of the Sun Labor). Karol Wojtyla was born May 18, 1920, in Krakow, Poland, during a solar eclipse. |
| Benedict XVI | 2005 | “Gloria Olivae.” (Glory of the Olives). The olive branch is a symbol of peace. Benedict XVI says he chose his official name to honor Benedict XV, a pope of peace and reconciliation. |
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According to The Catholic Encyclopedia, St. Malachy, whose family name was O’Morgair, was born in Armagh in 1094. St. Bernard described him as of noble birth.
He was baptized Maelmhaedhoe (Latinized as Malachy). After a long course of studies, he was ordained Priest in 1119. In rapid succession he was chosen Abbot of Bangor, Bishop of Connor and Archbishop of Armagh that had been founded by St. Patrick.
During this time of upheaval in the Irish church, Malachy is recorded as having performed many miracles of healing and been endowed with the gift of prophecy.
Malachy set out on a second journey to Rome in 1148. Upon arriving at the abbey of Clairvaux, France, he fell sick and predicted his own death. He died in the arms of St. Bernard on All Saints Day Nov. 2.
Pope Clement III canonized St. Malachy on July 6, 1199. His feast day is celebrated on November 3 to avoid conflict with All Saints Day.
Epilogue
Folks who delve into propheses find nothing in Nostradamus or Edgar Cayce to corroborate those of St. Malachy.
St. John’s Revelation outlines warning signs of an apocalypse – seemingly existing in all generations – but gives no specific time.
Nonetheless, the correspondence between the prophecies of St. Malachy and the Mayan “long count” calendar -- which has been proven uncannily accurate so far -- ends in 2012.
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PROGNOSTIGATOR – St. Malachy, medieval Archbishop of Armagh, Ireland.
Author: Lindsey Williams
