One from the weirdo file

[khaosworks]

Maelmhaedhoc O'Morgair (1094-1148), better known as St. Malachy, was an Irish saint who had the gift of prophecy. The St. Malachy prophecies detail every Pope from Celestine II (1143) to the "end of the world", describing each successive Pope by means of a Latin motto that either signifies his coat-of-arms or events in his life. To those who believe in the prophecies, they have been spot on so far; for those who don't, of course it is always easy to construct evidence on hindsight. What's interesting about St. Malachy right now is that according to him, the next Pope will be the last one - that's it. The end times will begin thereafter.

St. Malachy's prophecy relating to the late Pope John Paul II describes him as "De Labore Solis" - the labor of the sun or the eclipse of the sun. Karol Józef Wojtyła was born on May 18, 1920 during an eclipse of the sun. John Paul II will be laid to rest on April 8, 2005, also during a solar eclipse.

As the Eighth Doctor said: "I love humans. Always seeing patterns in things that aren't there." But then again...

Comments

[kaasirpent]

If you follow the link to the prophecies that occurs at the destination of the first link you gave (about St. Malachy's life), it says that between Gloria olivae and Petrus Romanus, there are not a specific number of Popes given. It's interesting that the two pages address it so differently. :)

[khaosworks.livejournal.com]

That seems to me to be wishful thinking - they are seeing that Malachy does not say there are no popes between Gloria Olivae and Petrus Romanus, so they conclude that Malachy is implying that there could be. That's fallacious logic, especially since Malachy was quite industrious in listing every single pope up to Gloria Olivae, so why stop there and jump to Petrus Romanus? Doesn't make sense to me.

Perhaps I should have included this link instead. It turns out that Petrus Romanus was a late addition to the prophecies and may be a Church invention to create that kind of gap and therefore ensure ongoing faith in the continuation of the Church.

[kaasirpent]

The Catholic church? INVENT something? Surely, you jest. :)

[daveon.livejournal.com]

I have been waiting for this to be brought up.

It could also mean the end of the Catholic church too... :) I have a friend waiting for a pope to declaire Mary the Co-Remdemtrix of humankind so he can admit to his mother that's he not a practising catholic anymore.

re: theories

[etherial.livejournal.com]

It has also sometimes been taken to mean a severe paradigm shift in Church Doctrine. For example, the first female Pope.

Re: theories

[kaasirpent]

Wasn't there already a supposed "Pope Joan"? I know her existence can't be proven, but it's fun to ponder.

Re: theories

[khaosworks.livejournal.com]

Joan is generally regarded as a myth these days. I think, however, that he meant a legitimately elected female pope.

[ex-prunesnp.livejournal.com]

Maybe 'end times' really does indicate the end of the catholic church as we've known it.

[(Anonymous)]

for those who don't, of course it is always easy to construct evidence on hindsight

Or foresight--the cardinals could be voting for the one among their number who best fit the prophecy at the front of the queue.

[braider.livejournal.com]

What's the motto for the next pope?

[khaosworks.livejournal.com]

Gloria olivae - the glory of the olive. This could mean any number of things, but the Benedictine order has traditionally claimed that this means that this pope will come from them, as they are known as the Olivetans.

[pickledginger.livejournal.com]

Nifty!