Latest news with #PetertheRoman
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pope Francis' successor ‘revealed' in ancient prophecy plucked from secret Vatican archives
Is it the end of the world as we know it? The 'Prophecy of the Popes,' a 900-year-old prescient manuscript, is believed by some to predict the next pontiff — and the end of the world. Pope Francis died following a stroke on Monday morning, which led to a coma and ultimately 'irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse,'' the Vatican announced. A selection of Catholic Church leaders will now vote to choose the next in command — but some claim to already know who will be picked. The 'Prophecy of the Popes' is a series of cryptic Latin phrases in the document that have been interpreted as describing the lineup of church leaders starting with Celestine II in 1143 and ending with 'Peter the Roman' in 2027. Michel de Nostredame — a French astrologist and soothsayer from the 16th century known as Nostradamus — is also said to have predicted that 'Peter the Roman' will take over. That sent believers into a fervor, noting that of the nine frontrunners set to succeed Pope Francis, three are named Peter, according to Reuters. However, some had previously tried to connect Pope Francis to the prophecy of Peter the Roman due to his Italian heritage and his birth name — Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone. The next pope will be chosen by a conclave consisting of 120 cardinals out of the 138 'princes of the church' who are under age 80 and will gather at the Vatican to pick his replacement. Four daily ballots will be held until a successor is picked. After 30 ballots, the top two candidates will be the only ones allowed; whoever gets a two-thirds majority will become the next pontiff. Voting must begin within 20 days of the pope's death and can take as long as needed, but typically takes about a week. But beyond the pope pick, the eeriest prediction pulled from the prophecy document claims that judgment day — the second coming of Christ, when all people, living and dead, will learn their eternal fate — is quite near. While several religions believe their own theory about the fateful ending, some Christians think their day is coming soon, and since the 'Prophecy of the Pope' ends with 'Peter the Roman' in 2027, many faithful have interpreted it to be a sign of the end of times. Here are the top cardinals who could replace Pope Francis after the conclave What happens now that Pope Francis has died? Pope Francis' burial plans differ drastically from his predecessors Real-world 'Conclave': Inside the Pope Francis succession drama'Pope Francis promised to pray for me — if I promised him one thing': New Yorkers recall meeting the late pope in 2015 Saint Malachy is credited with creating the 'Prophecy of the Popes,' writing 112 short, mysterious phrases about the papal progression after he received a vision, although many experts suggest he wrote it in hopes of getting himself into the top position. According to the final entry surrounding 'Peter the Roman,' the 'last pope' will preside over the church during a time of great turmoil, culminating in the destruction of Rome and the end of the papacy. 'In the final persecution of the Holy Roman Church, there will reign Peter the Roman, 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 last passage reads. The descriptions of the popes are very specific until the year 1590 — conveniently, the year when it was discovered and just several decades after Nostradamus made his claims. From then on, the phrasing becomes much vaguer and open to interpretation, which has led to speculation about the true author and validity of the predictions. Some claim that the text was forged at some point and that the later predictions are too ambiguous.
Irish Daily Star
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Daily Star
'Last pope' before end of days in horrifying 800-year-old prophecy after Pope Francis' death
An ancient prophecy, believed to have foretold the succession of popes for centuries, suggests that the next Catholic leader following Pope Francis will be the final one before judgement day. The "Prophecy of the Popes", purportedly penned in the 1100s by Saint Malachy, is said to enumerate 112 popes. The list is nearing its conclusion, with only a mention of "Peter the Roman" remaining before the apocalypse. While the prophecy provides accurate depictions of the popes up until approximately 1590, the descriptions thereafter are notably vague. This has led some to link "Peter the Roman" to Pope Francis, given his Italian roots and birth name - Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone. Pope Francis passed away on Monday, April 21, after suffering a stroke which resulted in a coma and ultimately "irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse,'' as per Vatican reports. In the wake of Pope Francis' death, leaders of the Catholic Church have initiated the process to elect his successor through a conclave of 120 cardinals, all under the age of 80. Pope Francis pictured in his open coffin The prophecy's final entry regarding "Peter the Roman", who was predicted to become pope in 2027, states that this "last pope" will guide the church during a period of great upheaval, culminating in the destruction of Rome and the end of the papacy. "In the final persecution of the Holy Roman Church, there will reign Peter the Roman, 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," reads the last passage. This ominous prophecy has sparked apocalyptic fears among some believers, associating the emergence of Peter the Roman with the end times predicted for 2027. The French seer Michel de Nostredame, better known as Nostradamus, is also credited with foretelling the rule of Peter the Roman, reports the Mirror US . However, historians have debated the authenticity of the text, suggesting it might have been crafted for political reasons. Many academics believe that the prophecies were intentionally made vague following their unearthing, making any interpretation highly speculative. Following the Pope's passing, Catholics worldwide will engage in Novendiale, a nine-day period of mourning. Subsequently, the Pope will be interred at the Santa Maria Maggiore basilica in Rome, Italy. The next step is the election of a new pope, overseen by the church's highest-ranking officials, the College of Cardinals. These potential papal candidates are usually ordained bishops nominated by the Pope himself. Currently, there are 252 cardinals, but only 138 are eligible to cast their vote for the successor of Pope Francis. On Tuesday, April 22, images of Pope Francis lying in state in an open casket were released as the Vatican begins funeral preparations. The 88 year old was presented for the Confirmation of the Death of the Pontiff ceremony. The placement of his body in the coffin took place last night at the Chapel of Santa Marta, according to the Vatican. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, conducted the official declaration of death in a ceremony lasting under an hour.
Irish Examiner
22-04-2025
- General
- Irish Examiner
Pope's death brings Irish saint's 900-year-old prophecy under the spotlight
The death of Pope Francis has brought into focus an Irish saint's 900-year-old prophecy claiming to herald judgement day and the end of the world. St Malachy is believed to have dreamt a vision of the papal line of succession up to the present day. At this time, the prophecy predicts when 'Peter the Roman' is pope, then Rome will be destroyed. The people will face a dreadful judgement, according to the lore. It may sound like a chapter from Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code except for one curious detail. This week, among the favourites to be pope next are Cardinal Peter Erdo, Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson. It all started with a document titled the Prophecy of the Popes, which was only unearthed in the Vatican Archives in 1590. This details a vision credited to St Malachy and was recorded in a series of 112 cryptic or metaphoric verses. Each verse is understood to refer to different popes starting with Pope Celestine II. One verse – linked to Pope Sixtus V – describes this pope as 'axle in the midst of a sign'. This has been interpreted to mean he is in the middle of the papal line. He was pope some 442 years after Celestine II. It is claimed this means the papal line will end 442 years after Sixtus V which brings the prophecy to the present time. The verses conclude rather ominously: In the final persecution of the Holy Roman Church there will reign Peter the Roman, 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. Rome is widely known as the city of seven hills. There are certainly 'many tribulations' facing the Catholic Church in the modern day. The reference to 'Peter the Roman' is not so clear. Some say it means the 112th and last Pope will be called Peter while others say it refers to Francis himself. That is likely because many believe Pope Benedict was the 111th pope described in the vision. The reference is 'the glory of the olive' and the Order of St Benedict is also known as the Olivetans. The prediction linked to Pope John Paul II refers to 'from the toil of the sun' with supporters highlighting his birth during a solar eclipse as a link. However, there are sceptics. In 2013, Joseph McHugh, writing in the magazine US Catholic, said: 'The prophecies were quite accurate up to about 1590 (conveniently the point at which they were found), but then became rather vague, lending credence to the theory that they are a 16th-century forgery.' Others question why St Malachy's biographer Bernard of Clairvaux - who knew him - does not mention the visions. Pope John Paul II was born during a solar eclipse which may have been referenced by St Malachy's prediction. File photo: AFP/Vincenzo Pinto via Getty Images) Whatever people's thoughts on the prophecy, St Malachy was very much a real-life figure (1094-1148). He was a bishop and archbishop who later became the papal legate to Ireland. The Archdiocese of Armagh describes him as a strong reformer on its website, saying he faced 'great opposition from the traditionalists' during his career. He travelled from Ireland to Rome in late 1139 or early 1140 and it said 'Pope Innocent II received him graciously in Rome'. Those who credit him with this vision say it happened on the road to Rome. The document is also known as Prophetia Sancti Malachiae Archiepiscopi, de Summis Pontificibus or " Prophecy of Saint-Archbishop Malachy, concerning the Supreme Pontiffs". He was papal legate for six years. He is described as 'holding synods, making new church laws and generally renewing the life of the Church in Ireland". Read More Who will be the next pope? Some potential candidates who might succeed Francis
Irish Daily Mirror
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
Haunting 'last pope' 800 year old prophecy after Pope Francis' death
An ancient prophecy, believed to have foretold the reign of every pope for centuries, suggests that the successor to Pope Francis will be the final Catholic leader before judgement day. The "Prophecy of the Popes", purportedly penned in the 1100s by Saint Malachy, is said to enumerate 112 popes. The list is nearing its conclusion, with only a mention of "Peter the Roman" remaining before the apocalypse. While the manuscript provides precise descriptions of the popes up until approximately 1590, it becomes notably vague thereafter. This has led some to link "Peter the Roman" to Pope Francis, given his Italian roots and birth name - Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone. Pope Francis passed away on Monday, April 21, following a stroke which resulted in a coma and ultimately "irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse,'' as per Vatican reports. In the wake of Pope Francis' death, leaders of the Catholic Church have initiated the process to elect his successor through a conclave of 120 cardinals, all aged under 80. The concluding entry regarding "Peter the Roman", who was prophesied to ascend to the papacy in 2027, states that this "last pope" will guide the church through a period of extreme upheaval, culminating in the destruction of Rome and the end of the papacy. "In the final persecution of the Holy Roman Church, there will reign Peter the Roman, 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," is the closing line from a dramatic prophecy that has sparked fears of an apocalypse among some believers, who connect the rule of Peter the Roman with the Day of Judgement expected in 2027. Even the French seer Michel de Nostredame (Nostradamus) is speculated to have forecasted the era of Peter the Roman, reports the Mirror US. Historians suggest the document might have been crafted with political motives in mind, and numerous academics point out that after its revelation, its prophecies were intentionally made more ambiguous, leading to highly personal interpretations. Following the Pope's death, Catholics worldwide will engage in Novendiale—a nine-day period of bereavement. Subsequently, the Pope will be interred at the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, Italy. What comes next is the commencement of the election for the new pontiff, wherein the highest-ranking clergy, known as the College of Cardinals, gather to vote. These candidates, usually ordained bishops selected by the Pope himself, total 252 at present, with only 138 qualified to cast their votes for who will take Pope Francis' place. On Tuesday, April 22, images of Pope Francis lying in state within an open casket emerged for the first time as the Vatican prepares for his funeral. The 88 year old was presented for the Confirmation of the Death of the Pontiff ceremony. The placement of his body in the coffin took place last night at the Chapel of Santa Marta, according to the Vatican. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, conducted the official declaration of death in a ceremony lasting under an hour.
Daily Mail
22-04-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Chilling 400-year-old prophecy may predict the next pope - but contains a terrifying warning for humanity in 2027
As Catholics around the world mourn Pope Francis who has died at the age of of 88, cardinals will soon meet in the conclave to choose his successor. But while the process of choosing a new pontiff has long been a notoriously private affair, a 430-year-old prophecy may have predicted the next pope. A 1595 book, Prophecy of the Popes, written by Benedictine monk Arnold Wion, reported the message which had first been predicted by the Irish Saint Malachy, a 12th century Archbishop of Armagh. It is a series of 112 short, cryptic phrases in Latin which appear to predict all the Catholic popes, beginning with Celestine II in 1143. Some believe the manuscript will predict the next pontiff - but on a more worrying note, it could also contain a terrifying warning for humanity that some believe is a signal for the end of the world. The final entry in the manuscript says the last pope will be 'Peter the Roman' in 2027 - but beyond that, no one is predicted to succeed him. According to the final entry the 'last pope' will preside over the church during a time of great turmoil, culminating in the destruction of Rome and the end of the papacy. It reads: 'Peter the Roman who will pasture his sheep in many tribulations, and when these things are finished, the city of seven hills will be destroyed, and the dreadful judge will judge his people. The End.' The prediction is made all the more chilling as out of the nine frontrunners set to succeed Pope Francis, three are named Peter, according to Reuters. Some had previously tried to connect Pope Francis to the prophecy of Peter the Roman due to his Italian heritage and his birth name Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone. However, most scholars aren't convinced because he wasn't originally named Peter, therefore they can't see the connection to the name. It comes after astrologists are claiming that Nostradamus made a prediction about his death which suggested the Catholic church's standing in the world could be significantly weakened. Writing in Les Prophéties in 1555, French astrologer Michel de Nostredame, better known as Nostradamus issued a number of grim prophecies for the future of humanity including 'cruel wars', natural disasters and the return of the plague. Within his gloomy outlook was the death of a 'very old' Pope - as well as stark warning about the weakening of the Catholic Church. Writing in his famed book of prophecies, the astrologer wrote: 'Through the death of a very old Pontiff / A Roman of good age will be elected / Of him it will be said that he weakens his seat / But long will he sit and in mordant activity.' Nostradamus also hinted at details of the successor of Pope Francis, writing, 'A young man of dark skin with the help of the great king will deliver the purse to another of red colour.' The prophecies have long been open to interpretation with many claiming they shouldn't be taken too literally. However in light of Pope Francis's death, some have interpreted the words to signify a shift in leadership within the Catholic Church. The astrologer has previously been credited with accurately predicting countless major world events, including the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Covid pandemic. Nostradamus's forecast may come as little surprise to many, as the Pope has suffered a number of concerning health issues over the last year. Francis was first hospitalised on 14 February and was forced to cancel a number of appearances, including his regular weekly prayer to pilgrims in St Peter's Square, leaving many worried about his mortality. Over the last year, the Pope had faced a number of set backs in his health, including a abdominal hernia and two falls. His final illness came after he was hospitalised for three days in March 2023 with bronchitis. The Vatican announced that Pope Francis had died on Easter Monday, having suffered pneumonia in both lungs in the lead up to his passing. The Conclave - where cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican to choose a successor - will not happen for at least 15 days. Francis's body will lie in state in St Peter's Basilica during an official mourning period, and then - in contrast to most of his predecessors - he will be buried in the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome's Esquilino neighbourhood. Francis just greeted Catholic faithful who had gathered to see him at St Peter's Square on Easter Sunday. He delivered his 'Urbi et Orbi' benediction from a balcony overlooking the square following mass to mark the high holiday. On his way to the basilica, Francis met briefly with US Vice President JD Vance, who was spending Easter in Rome with his family. The Vatican said the encounter was 'brief' and lasted a few minutes. Francis became the first pope from outside Europe in 1,300 years when he was chosen to replace the retiring Pope Benedict XVI. Despite several previous health issues and reduced mobility caused in part by his advancing years and expanding waistline, Francis had kept up a busy schedule until his final weeks. Francis, who was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, will be remembered for his comparatively liberal attitudes on some subjects that made him both popular and controversial. The death of the pope is just one of a plethora of Nostradamus's grim predictions for 2025. The mystic predicted that 2025 would see European powers clash with England, devastating the country and spawning new 'foes'. Nostradamus also expected 2025 to bring pioneering advances in medicine but that England will be faced yet again with the plague, as well as battle devastating wars. 'When those from the lands of Europe, see England set up her throne behind. Her flanks, there will be cruel wars. The kingdom will be marked by wars so cruel, foes from within and without will arise.' Many also believe the oracle has predicted the return on the 17th century plague in the words: 'A great pestilence from the past returns, no enemy more deadly under the skies.' In an even more worrying prediction, he suggested next year would see a 'fireball from the cosmos' devastate the earth. 'From the cosmos, a fireball will rise, a harbinger of fate, the world pleads. Science and fate in a cosmic dance, the fate of the Earth, a second chance.' Though it is possible human extinction will result in the Earth's 'second chance', and that the earth will recover from people's exploitation of resources. He also anticipated that climate change might cause natural disasters in Brazil, home to the Amazon rainforest. He went on: 'Garden of the world near the new city, In the path of the hollow mountains: It will be seized and plunged into the tub, forced to drink waters poisoned by sulphur.' Nostradamus had prophesied that an extended war through 2024, like the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, would come to an end next year when the armies are spent.
