The Death of Pope Francis and Petrus Romanus - Is the Next Pope The Last One?

One of the interesting aspects of the death of Pope Francis, as it relates to Bible Prophecy, is what is known as the “Prophecies of the Popes.” The prophecies were composed by the 12th-century Irish bishop of Armagh, Saint Malachy (1094-1148). In 1139, Bishop Malachy went to Rome to give a report to the Pope. While there, he received a vision about the future that included the name of every pope until the “city of seven hills” is destroyed. In a series of 112 cryptic Latin phrases, the Irish saint "predicts" the future Roman Catholic popes. Malachy gave an account of his visions to Pope Innocent II, but the prophecies remained unknown in the Roman Archives until their discovery in 1590.

Now, I want to clarify that I am not presenting the Prophecy of the Popes as equal to Biblical prophecy. It is not considered a reliable prophecy anywhere near Biblical prophecy standards. However, I do find it interesting, and it may be a coincidental prophecy. But should be read and considered only as confirming and not authoritative in any respect. The Bible is the only authoritative Word of God, and is our only source for truth and absolute reliability. So, take it at face value, and nothing more.

Recently, the Prophecies of the Popes has gained renewed attention because of what appears to be the final Pope quickly approaching. If the 112 phrases (papal descriptions) are matched on a one-to-one basis to the list of historic popes since the prophecy’s creation, Pope Benedict XVI (2005–13) would correspond to the next to last of the papal descriptions, “Gloria olivae (the glory of the olive)”.

The next phrase in Latin reads: “In persecutione extrema S.R.E. sedebit. Petrus Romanus, qui pascet oves in multis tribulationibus, quibus transactis civitas septicollis diruetur, & judex tremendus judicabit populum suum. Finis.” It can be translated into English as : “In the final persecution of the Holy Roman Church, there will sit. 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.” Boy, that certainly sounds like the seven year tribulation period to me.

Several people who have tried to interpret the prophecy have concluded that there is a possibility that there are an unknown number of Popes without descriptive phrases between "the glory of the olive" and the final pope "Peter the Roman". The line “In persecutione extrema S.R.E. sedebit” (“In the final persecution of the Holy Roman Church, there will sit”) forms a separate sentence and paragraph of its own. While it is typically included as part of the "Peter the Roman" phrase, it could also stand on its own referring to one or more popes between "the glory of the olive" and "Peter the Roman".

“S.R.E.” stands for “Sanctus Romanus Ecclesia" which is a Latin abbreviation which translates to "Sanctity of the Roman Church" or "Holy Roman Church" in English. I understand that each phrase of the prophecy is a separate description of a future Pope. So I see the phrase “In the final persecution of the Holy Roman Church, there will sit” to describe the Pope who will be selected between Pope Benedict and the apparent last Pope, Petrus Romanas (Peter the Roman). This descriptive phrase would have applied to Pope Francis.

I see that phrase (“In the final persecution of the Holy Roman Church, there will sit”) possibly applying to Pope Francis in that he “persecuted” the Catholic Church by normalizing controversial views on such issues such as homosexuality, abortion, and other Biblical standards. The wording “there will sit” could possibly refer to the Pope “sitting” instead of “standing”, a reference to the further diluting of Biblical principles in the Catholic Church by the Pope’s statements and progressive views.

If that phrase does apply to Pope Francis, then with his recent death we arrive at the final and last phrase, and therefore the final and last Pope, “Petrus Romanus”. A conclave will soon be held consisting of the College of Cardinals. They will convene in the Sistine Chapel and vote for the next Pope by secret ballot. When there is agreement, white smoke from the chimney will indicate that the new Pope has been selected. What is very interesting to me is that when you search the internet for a list of potential candidates for the next Pope, out of some ten potentials, three of them are named “Peter”.  One of the leading contenders is the current Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro (Peter) Parolin of Italy.  If he were to be selected as the next Pope, well then that would be interesting, wouldn't it?