A legend associated with the ancient prophecy of the Day of Judgment could be interpreted to say that Pope Francis’ death marked the last chapter of the Catholic Church – but don’t worry too much.
The legend follows back to the Irish saint of the 12th century (St. Malachi) and a long list of predicted popes, starting from the 1100s and ending after 112 Pope. Experts say there are many disadvantages in the forecast.
St. Malachi has received renewed attention because Francis, who died on April 21 at the age of 88, can mark the 112nd Pope in this list. This means that, depending on how the list is interpreted, it can be the first time in nearly 1000 years, there is no new pope predicted by St. Malachi.
The prophecy caused the imagination of believers, Catholics and otherwise, in several sequences of Pope. In 2018, he received attention when the story of the story broadcast a documentary called “The Last Pope?” A 1922 New York Times report claims that the prophecies are “really depicting” the three most popes.
However, experts usually do not put a lot of stocks into the legend. The most famous red flag: Malachia probably didn’t even write the list that entered the historic record hundreds of years after his death.
“The prophecies are forgery,” said Fr. James Weiss, a bishopric priest and professor of church history at the Boston College.
The problems with the legend of St. Malachia arise quickly
The text in question is a list of 112 phrases that are said to be related to Pope, starting with Celestine II, who was named Pope in 1143, Weiss said. The popes are not specifically indicated. The examples of phrases include “Swift Bear” and “Rose of Umbria”.
From the time of Malachi to the end of the 16th century, when historians largely believe that the list was actually written, the descriptions are quite accurate, Weiss said. But then it is a “hit or pass”, with some examples arising to arrange with real popes and others that are much more than a section.
The 112 Pope was described as “Peter Roman”. The prophecy continues in a short paragraph to describe what some interpret as the end of the world or the “second coming” of Jesus. The paragraph describes the destruction of the “City of the Seven Hills” (probably Rome) and a “terrible judge.” Weiss said the general interpretation of the court day of the paragraph could be completely excluded; This may refer to a non -apecalippine event and maybe the nation’s leader may be judged.
Is the prophecy real?
John Hog, who runs a blog for prophecies and sells “private readings”, appeared in a channel documentary on history as a believer in the forecast, calling it highly accurate.
In general, historical and religious scholars do not put much stock in it.
The time between the life of Malachi and the first historical mention of prophecy is the first red flag in its authenticity, said Joel Rolo-Coster, a professor of medieval history at the University of Rod Island and editor-in-chief of “The History of Cambridge History of Papacy.”
The true Malachia knew St. Bernard from Clairvo, a “intellectual giant of the 12th century” and a credible witness, said Rolo-Coster. Bernard admired Malachi so much that he wrote a biography of him, but never mentioned any prophecy.
“As a historian, I am firm in evidence, and this is the supreme proof for me that Malachi … has not spoken or wrote prophecies,” she said.
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The prophecy itself was so exactly in the 1580s to the 1590s precisely because it was not written until then, Viss argues. Whoever wrote it had great historical knowledge of the Pope and chose Malachi, who was relatively vague as a prophet. Weiss said some scientists believe that the prophecy was written in support of a cardinal, which campaign to be the next pope.
Of course, some of the forecasts have since been strikingly important to the pope that they are aligned, Weiss said. For example, the forecast that is aligned with Pope John Paul II, before the Pope, is “from the labor of the sun.” John Paul II, as happens, was born during a sunny eclipse and was buried during a sunny eclipse, Weiss said.
Pope John Paul II spoke from the balcony of the papal palace in Castel Gandolfo, around 1980.
Others have very little to do with real popes, but believers have tried to fit them into the prophecy by “strangling the evidence,” Weiss said. For example, the “fast bear” relating to Pope Clement XIV in the 1700s has no resemblance to the real man who was a slow, intentional and indecisive man, Weiss said.
Francis is the last pope?
Francis was the 266th Pope in Vatican History, but only the 101st Pope, officially recognized by the church since the time of Malachi. So why do people believe that he is the 112nd and the final pope, indicated in the prophecy?
This is because there were periods in the history of the church, when many leaders claim to be a pope at the same time, Weiss said. Believers in the prophecy of Malachi include in the number of several of these antipopes – numbers that are not officially recognized by the Vatican.
Francis also does not actually correspond to the description “Peter Roman”. Some believe that since St. Francis of Assisi’s father is baptized Pietro or Peter, the prophecy still fits, Weiss said. Pope Francis took his papal name from Francis of Assisi.
The text of the prophecy also has discussed punctuation that some claim that there may be an indefinite number of additional Pope after the 111st and before Peter the Roman, Weiss said. He thinks this is really just a typo.
Anyway, you cut it, it’s hard to apply a logic to something that is illogical inherently, Rolo-Coster said.
“It’s hard because you are just trying to play with numbers and rationalize when it’s someone who invented it in the 16th century,” she said.
A conclave for the choice of a new pope is to start on May 7, during which the cardinals surrounded themselves in the Sistine Chapel in Rome, will vote and signal their decisions to the public through color smoke. They will meet until the next pope is selected. All signs point to Pope after Francis.
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As for the myth, Rolo-Coster said the era in history, when people rely on prophecies, reveal a lack of control over their lives and death. We have more scientific security today, she said.
“The true test of faith is not in the theories of conspiracy and cloud forecasts, but in our ability to read the Gospel and to interpret the signs of times,” Weiss said. “This is the task of every Christian and what Pope Francis did brilliant in his writings of peace, poverty and saving the climate.”
This article originally appeared in USA Today: The Last Pope? Explain the prophecy of St. Malachi.