Folklore of St. Malakey’s prophecy says Pope Francis could be the very last Pope. Historians say it is doubtful.
Vatican announces end dates to elect a new Pope on May 7th
Roman Catholic College has agreed to launch the Conclave on May 7th, according to the Vatican.
Legends, including the prophecy of the ancient end, can be interpreted as saying that Pope Francis’ death marked the last head of the Catholic Church, but don’t worry too much.
The legend dates back to a long list of 12th century Irish saints (St. Malakey) and foretold Popes, beginning in the 1100s and ending after 112 Popes. Experts say there are many flaws in predictions.
St. Malachy has attracted new attention as Francis, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88, could mark the 112th Pope on that list. This means that depending on how you interpret the list, it could be the first time in nearly 1,000 years.
Prophecy, in several successions of the Pope, stimulated the imagination of Catholic and other followers. It attracted attention in 2018 when the History Channel aired a documentary called “The Last Pope?” A 1922 New York Times report claimed a prophecy that “really portrayed” the latest three popes.
However, experts generally stock less legends. Most notable Red Flag: Malachi probably didn’t write a list, but entered historical records hundreds of years after his death.
“Prophecy is forgeries,” the priest said. James Weiss, Anglican priest at Boston University and professor of church history.
St. Malachy’s legendary problem arises soon
The text in question is a list of 112 phrases that are said to be related to the Pope, which began with Celestine II, who was named Pope in 1143, Weiss said. The Pope is not specifically named. Examples of phrases include “Swift Bear” and “Rose of Umbria.”
From the time of Malachi until the late 16th century, when historians claimed that the list was actually written, Weiss said, the explanations were very accurate. But then it’s a “hit or miss”, and some examples appear to line up with the real pope and others of much more stretch.
Pope 112 was called “Peter of Rome.” The prophecy follows in a short paragraph, which explains some of them either interpret the end of the world or explains the “second coming” of Jesus. The paragraph describes the destruction of “the City of Seven Hills” (probably Rome) and the “terrifying judge.” Weiss said that the general ending interpretation of paragraphs could be completely off. It could refer to non-apocalyptic events and perhaps judgement by the country’s leaders.
Is the prophecy the real thing?
John Hoag, who runs a blog about prophecy and sells “private readings,” appeared in the History Channel documentary as a follower of predictions, calling it very accurate.
In general, historical and religious scholars don’t stock much of it.
Joel Rorocoster, professor of medieval history at the University of Rhode Island and the chief editor of “The Pope History of Cambridge History,” said the time between Malaki’s life and the first historical reference to prophecy was the first red flag of its authenticity.
The real Malaki knew St. Bernard of Claire Beau, a “intellectual giant of the 12th century” and a trusted witness, Rorocoster said. Bernard praised Malaki very much and wrote a biographer about him, but never mentioned the prophecy.
“As a historian, I am hardcore about the evidence, and for me it is the ultimate proof that Malakie did not utter prophecies or writes prophecies,” she said.
Weiss argued that the so-called prophecy itself was very accurate from the 1580s to the 1590s, because it had not been written before. Anyone who wrote it chose Malaki, who had great historical knowledge of the Pope and was relatively obscure as a prophet. Weiss said that some scholars believe the prophecy was written in favor of the cardinal campaigning to become the next pope.
Certainly, some of the predictions since then are surprisingly related to the pope they are in harmony, Weiss said. For example, the prediction coinciding with the two Pope John Paul II is “from the labor of the sun.” John Paul II happened to be born during the solar eclipse and buried during the solar eclipse, Weiss said.
While others have little to do with the real pope, the followers tried to conform them to prophecy by “strangle the evidence,” Weiss said. For example, the “quick bear” referring to Pope Clement XIV in the 1700s, does not resemble a real man who is a slow, intentional and indecisive person, Weiss said.
Is Francis the last Pope?
Francis was the 266th Pope in Vatican history, but only Pope 101, officially recognized by the Church since the time of Malachi. So why does he believe he is the 112th and the last Pope mentioned in the prophecy?
It was because of a period in the history of the church, where multiple leaders claimed to be Pope at the same time, Weiss said. The followers of Malachy’s prophecy include some of those antipopes. These numbers are not officially recognized by the Vatican.
Francis also doesn’t really fit the description of “Peter of Rome.” Weiss said he believes that the prophecy is still compatible, as Assisi’s father St. Francis was named Pietro, or Peter. Pope Francis took the name of the Pope from Francis of Assisi.
Others argue that the text of the prophecy has argumentative punctuation marks, suggesting that there may be an unlawful number of additional teachers after the 111th and before Peter in Rome. He thinks it’s really a typo.
When you slice it, it’s difficult to apply logic to something inherently illogical, Rorocoster said.
“Because you’re trying to play around with numbers when it was someone inventing this in the 16th century and streamline it,” she said.
The new Pope’s choice of conclave is scheduled to begin on May 7th. Meanwhile, the Cardinals monitor inside the Sistine Chapel in Rome, cast votes and inform the public of their decisions via colored smoke. They will meet until the next Pope is elected. All signs refer to the Pope after Francis.
As for mythology, Rorocoster said that the era of history, which relied on prophecy, revealed a lack of control over one’s life and death. Today we have more scientific certainty, she said.
“The real test of faith lies not in conspiracy theories or clouding predictions, but in the ability to read the Gospels and interpret signs of the era,” Weiss said. “That’s the mission of all Christians, and what Pope Francis did brilliantly in his writings on peace, poverty and climate salvation.”