Q: What are the "Prophecies of Saint Malachi" and how do they relate to the passing of Pope Joannes Paulus PP. II and world events? - Layperson

A: The most famous and best known prophecies about the popes are those attributed to St. Malachy. In 1139 he went to Rome to give an account of the affairs of his diocese to the pope, Innocent II, who promised him two palliums for the metropolitan Sees of Armagh and Cashel. While at Rome, he received (according to the Abbé Cucherat) the strange vision of the future wherein was unfolded before his mind the long list of illustrious pontiffs who were to rule the Church until the end of time. The same author tells us that St. Malachy gave his manuscript to Innocent II to console him in the midst of his tribulations, and that the document remained unknown in the Roman Archives until its discovery in 1590 (Cucherat, "Proph. de la succession des papes", ch. xv). They were first published by Arnold de Wyon, and ever since there has been much discussion as to whether they are genuine predictions of St. Malachy or forgeries. The silence of 400 years on the part of so many learned authors who had written about the popes, and the silence of St. Bernard especially, who wrote the "Life of St. Malachy", is a strong argument against their authenticity, but it is not conclusive if we adopt Cucherat's theory that they were hidden in the Archives during those 400 years.

The last but one Pope before the end of the world is named by Malachi as De Gloria Olivae or "From the Glory of the Olives": The Order of Saint Benedict has claimed that this pope will come from their ranks. Saint Benedict reportedly prophesied that before the end of the world his Order, known also as the Olivetans, will triumphantly lead the Catholic Church in its fight against evil.

Starting from Pope Celestine II in 1143, Malachy mentioned 112 Popes till the "End of the World". Against each of their names, he mentioned some symbolic descriptions, which were found to be amazingly accurate.

The last 10 Popes were described by Malachy in the following manner -

1. The Burning Fire. PIUS X. 1903-1914. This Pope showed a burning passion for spiritual renewal in the Church.

2. Religion Laid Waste. BENEDICT XV. 1914-1922. During this Pope's reign saw Communism move into Russia where religious life was laid waste, and World War I with the death of millions of Christians who were carnage in Flanders Field and elsewhere.

3. Unshaken Faith. PIUS XI. 1922-1939. This Pope faced tremendous pressure from fascist and sinister powers in Germany and Italy, but he was an outspoken critic of Communism and Fascism which enraged Hitler.

4. An Angelic Shepherd. PIUS XII. 1939-1958. This Pope had an affinity for the spiritual world and received visions which have not been made public. Peter Bander says Pius XII "has emerged as one of the great Popes of all time," and he "was in the truest sense of the word an Angelic Pastor to the flock..."

5. Pastor and Mariner. JOHN XXIII. 1958-1963. John was a pastor to the world, much beloved, and the Patriarch of Venice. The connection to "mariner" is thus remarkable.

6. Flower of Flowers. PAUL VI. 1963-1978. Paul's coat-of-arms depicts three fleurs-de-lis, corresponding to Malachay's prophecy. His coat of arms included three fleurs-de-lis (iris blossoms).

7. Of the Half Moon. JOHN PAUL I. 1978-1978. John Paul I was elected Pope on August 26, 1978, when there was a half moon. He reigned 33 days, that is, about one month, when he died, although many think he was murdered. He was the 109th Pope - is "De Medietate Lunae" (Of the Half Moon). The corresponding pope was John Paul I (1978-78), who was born in the diocese of Belluno (beautiful moon) and was baptized Albino Luciani (white light). He became pope on August 26, 1978, when the moon appeared exactly half full. It was in its waning phase. He died the following month, soon after an eclipse of the moon.

8. The Labor of the Sun. JOHN PAUL II. 1978-2005. Pope John Paul II was born on May 18, 1920. On that date in the morning there was a near total eclipse of the sun in the Southern Hemisphere. Malachy's prophecy regarding the 110th Pope is "De Labore Solis" (Of the Solar Eclipse, or, From the Toil of the Sun). John Paul II's date of burial was set for 8th April, 2005 when another solar eclipse takes place in the Southern Hemisphere, thus making Malachy's prophecy more meaningful. The burial must take place within 4 to 6 days of the death of a Pope and even if we consider that human intervention made it to coincide with the solar eclipse which happened on the 5th Day from his death, still no rule was bent to make that happen and this was one of the two solar eclipses that takes place in 2005.

9. The Glory of the Olive. The Order of St. Benedict has said this Pope will come from their order. It is interesting that Jesus gave his apocalyptic prophecy about the end of time from the Mount of Olives. This Pope will reign during the beginning of the tribulation Jesus spoke of. The 111th prophesy is "Gloria Olivae" (The Glory of the Olive). The Order of Saint Benedict has claimed that this pope will come from their ranks. At the time of election there would be only one Cardinal named Paul Augustine Mayer who is Benedictine, but he is above 80 and cannot vote although he can be elected a Pope. So there is a rare chance that the next Pope would be a Benedictine. St. Malachy may have meant something else. He could have meant a Pope with a formerly Jewish background or in some way connected to Israel or even be black in color. Hopefully, we would come to understand that after the Pope is elected.

10. PETER THE ROMAN - This final Pope will likely be Satan, taking the form of a man named Peter who will gain a worldwide allegiance and adoration. He will be the final antichrist which prophecy students have long foretold. If it were possible, even the very elect would be deceived. 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."

St. Malachy makes the following prophecy concerning the last pope. "During the last persecution of the Holy Roman Church, there will sit upon the throne Peter the Roman, who will pasture his flock in the in the midst of many tribulations; with these passed, the city of the seven hills will be destroyed; and the awful Judge will then Judge the peoples (p. 143)."

The book of Revelation confirms this when John wrote that the beast with the ten horns would burn the city that sits on seven hills and afterward judgement would come (Rev. 17:16-18; 19:1-9).

The Prophecies