On April 19, 2005, Joseph Ratzinger of Germany was elected as the new pope after four rounds of voting in 24 hours-- one of the fastest conclaves in 100 years. Elected as the eighth german pope at 78, he was the oldest pope since Clement XII at the start of his papacy. The last pope Benedict XV was an Italian who served as pope from 1914 to 1922 and reigned during World War I. The present pope chose the same name as Benedict XV-- known to help refugees and reunite a world divided by what was then known as the Great War. If he is somehow an immitation of Benedict XV, will he also become an emissary of peace?
Just as the pontificate of Benedict XV began prior to World War I, it is predicted that the Pontificate of Benedict XVI will occur prior to World War III-- a failure to achieve world peace just like Benedict XV, will occur during his papacy. Its been predicted that during this war, Arab nations will will threaten and attack the United States; they will threaten, attack, invade and conquer Europe; they will threaten, attack, invade and conquer the northern part of Africa. It is also predicted that Pope Benedict XVI will die prior to, or at the very beginning of, World War III. Therefore, he will die in either 2009 or 2010. A very brief reign to accomplish the tasks of peace-making.
Prediction remains as strong as ever and is an important part of almost every aspect of human life. Its how people foretell things on the basis of observation, experience and several other reasons. Exaggerated as it seems, many Roman Catholics became more interested when a list came up regarding the most famous and best known prophecies about the popes. It is based on the predictions made by Saint Malachy O'Morgair, Archbishop of Armagh, Ireland who listed 112 future popes around 1139 AD, each described by a phrase in Latin except for the last Pope which was given a long apocalyptic description instead of brief expression.
On the list, Pope #109 and #110 fits perfectly with Pope John Paul I and Pope John Paul II respectively. "From half of the Moon", this is the phrase given pertaining to Pope John Paul I. Its been said that the four phases of the moon--new moon, first quarter, full moon and last moon are often last about a week each. From his election on August 26, 1978, he served only 33 days until his death on September 28, 1978--a little more than the length of one lunar cycle. Half moon appears during the first and last quarter. "From the Labor of the Sun", this is the phrase he gave for Pope #110. During Pope John Paul II papacy, he was considered the most traveled pope in history. Just like Sun, it travels around the earth, and so does John Paul II to the world. Remarkably, this pope fits on St. Malachy's phrase.
But what about the successor of Pope John Paul II-- Pope Benedict XVI, the 111th pope on the list? According to St. Malachy, the pope will be “From the Glory of the Olive”, a prophetic phrase that has several meanings. The olive branch is a well-known symbol of peace, will he really become an emissary of peace? This pope will reign during the beginning of tribulation of Jesus. On one of his post, Ron Conte of Catholics Only groups added that Pope Benedict XVI is mentioned in Sacred Scripture, in a hidden way. "The passage in the Gospels about the transfiguration of Christ describes an exchange between Peter and Christ, talking to Elijah and Moses--signifying the transfiguration of the Church in 2009 when Pope Benedict XVI will suggest the building of three places in Jerusalem for three religions-- Judaism, Christianity and Islam so that these religions can worship in peace in the city of peace. However, Jews will decide to build the Third temple of Jerusalem in 2009 but the pope's suggestion to have all three religions worship in Jerusalem in peace will not take place for many years not until the 2040's." Saint Benedict himself prophesied that before the end of the world his Order, known as Olivetans will triumphantly lead the Catholic Church in its fight against evil.
The last of these prophecies concerns the second pope after John Paul II who is the Pope #112. It talks about the end of the world. He gave this description instead of phrase: “In the final persecution of the Holy Roman Church there shall reign Peter the Roman who will feed his flock amid many tribulations, after which the seven-hilled city will be destroyed and the terrible judge will judge the people.” Then who is Peter the Roman? Will he reaffirm Rome as the proper seat of authority in the Church and require the faithful to acknowledge “the holy, Catholic, and apostolic Roman Church as the mother and teacher of all churches.”? Is the seven-hilled city mentioned the city of Rome which not only has seven hills, but also is divided into seven Roman Catholic dioceses? Did St. Malachy predicts that the city of Rome will be destroyed during the Pontificate of the Pope called Peter the Roman?And will there be more subsequent popes? Will it be true that in order to begin a long period of peace and holiness on earth, Christ will return at the end of the Antichrist's reign?Will the Church be without a Pope for seven years prior to the Return of Christ?
These are the questions left unanswered for the phrases and descriptions left unfulfilled. Prophecy is hard especially predicting that of the future. Followers oftentimes forgot one's prophecy remembering mainly those that happened to come true just like what St. Malachy had listed on Pope#109 and #110. There are those who make predictions and there are those who call themselves prophets but there is no other book on Earth that can compare with the bible when it comes to fulfilled prophecy. More often, some predictions made are so clouded by confusing language that can be twisted to mean just about anything. We don't know exactly what is going to happen. We can only speculate and keep our eyes open as we move through this bizarre period of time. Being raised and taught in the Roman Catholic way of life, it is always my belief that Christ is the true head of the one holy Catholic Church. The Pope is merely His servant and ours. I also truly believe that when the Pope turns to speak officially on the matters of faith and morals, he speaks infallibly because he is protected by God from making mistake. We must acknowledge that whatever he'll deliver for the good of the people is in high regard with God's Will. And besides, God will always be there to protect us.
The complete article about the Future and the Pope, read here.
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