Have you guys (and gals) ever heard of the Irish "Saint" Malachy? (1094-1148) He is said to have received a vision listing the final 112 popes, starting with Pope Celestine II in 1143, assigning each a motto or phrase which was to be descriptive of them in some way. For example, Pius II, who reigned for only 26 days in 1503, was aptly described as "De Parvo Homine" (from a little man). His family name was Piccolomini, Italian for "little man." Or how about Clement XIII (1758-69), who had conenctions with the government of the Italian state of Umbria and whose emblem was a rose, was called by Malachy Rosa Umbriae, the "Rose of Umbria."

The interesting things are that (1) Malachy's mottoes have proven to be (factoring in their vagueness) pretty accurate, and (2) there is only one pope left on his list after the current pope, Benedict XVI, who was described by Malachy as "The Glory of the Olive." The 111th prophesy is "Gloria Olivae" (The Glory of the Olive). The Order of St. Benedict predicted that this Pope would come from their order. Saint Benedict himself prophesied that before the end of the world his Order, known also as the Olivetans, would triumphantly lead the Catholic Church in its fight against evil. (choke, cough) Ratzinger (Benedict XVI) chose his papal name (partially) after the Benedictine order---the "Oliventans."

And the "last" pope? He is described by Malachy as PETER THE ROMAN. The 112th prophesy states: "In the final persecution of the Holy Roman Church there will reign Petrus Romanus, who will feed his flock amid many tribulations; after which the seven-hilled city will be destroyed and the dreadful Judge will judge the people. The End."

The "end" indeed.

kp

I looked into it a little and it seems in some circles folks believe that "Gloria Olivae" & "Petrus Romanus" are the same person.. meaning Benedict XVI is the last pope.. either way it is interesting.

Shalom,

I suppose that if the next pope is named Peter then the alarm bells should ring out loud! ;-P If there is a syndicate creating popes based on this prophecy, I take off my hats to them for continuing a hoax over the past few hundred years. Seems worthy of another Da Vinci novel.

There has never been a Pope named Peter (since the "first pope" wasn't the Apostle Simon Peter, Catholic lore notwithstanding). So you'd have to be thoroughly arrogant to take the papal name Peter, wouldn't you?

kp