Three favoured candidates to be the new pope could spell disaster for humanity according to 1000-year-old prophecy
Following the passing of Pope Francis, a conclave is set to convene to choose the next pope.
An ancient prophecy, said to date back to 1143, outlines the reigns of 112 popes, spanning from the past to the present. This prophecy also foretells a dire catastrophe on the horizon, casting a shadow of forewarning over the future. After all, isn’t the essence of prophecy often steeped in ominous predictions? It’s a rare occurrence when such foretellings bring optimism, with most offering nothing but grim forecasts.
Indeed, the Prophecy of the Popes paints a chilling picture of the future, one fraught with catastrophe, all attributed to a man named Peter.
The prophecy was unearthed by a monk named Arnold Wion in the late 16th century, who claimed that the Irish saint Malachy had composed it in the 12th century.
Contained within it is a series of 112 cryptic phrases, each thought to hint at the identities of successive popes, stretching far into the future. Now, we find ourselves at the very end of this enigmatic list.
According to the final passage of the prophecy, a series of harrowing events are foretold:
“Peter the Roman, who will tend to his flock amidst great tribulations, and when these trials are over, the city of seven hills will be destroyed, and the terrible judge will pass judgment on his people. It is finished.”
This paints a grim picture for Rome, the “city of seven hills,” suggesting that the end may be near. With such a dire prophecy in mind, we may want to steer clear of selecting a pope bearing the name Peter.
Yet, there are a few individuals named Peter who stand among the top contenders to succeed Pope Francis, who recently passed away, making this a truly unsettling prospect.
According to The Guardian, three prominent figures—Pietro Parolin from Italy, Peter Turkson from Ghana, and Péter Erdő from Hungary—are currently the leading contenders to fill the vacant position at the head of the Catholic Church.
However, some argue that Pierbattista Pizzaballa from Italy might also be a worthy candidate, given that his first name is a combination of “Peter” and “Baptist.”
If you’re searching for your “Peter the Roman,” it seems likely that one of these individuals could be in the running. Yet, none of them hail from Rome itself, which may give pause to those who place too much weight on prophecy. It’s a reminder to approach such predictions with caution and not let them overshadow the real qualities needed in a leader.
The Prophecy of the Popes has been widely dismissed by experts, who argue that its credibility falters as soon as the document was “discovered.” Many consider it little more than a “hoax.” Scholars believe that rather than being the work of an Irish saint, the prophecy was likely crafted by the monk who uncovered it, in a bid to help his friend secure the papacy during an upcoming election—a campaign that ultimately failed.
Moreover, academics point out a critical flaw in the prophecy’s “Peter of Rome” concept. The 111th pope on the list was Benedict XVI, who preceded Pope Francis. This would suggest that Pope Francis should have been the final entry. However, Francis, who chose not to adopt the name Peter and hails from Argentina rather than Rome, doesn’t fit the description of “Peter of Rome.” As such, it’s clear that the prophecy cannot be applied to him.
In essence, the prophecy’s predictions seem increasingly illogical, leaving many to question its validity.
As a result, the prophecy has already failed to predict the rise of a pope, alongside numerous other inaccuracies it has accumulated throughout the centuries. Now, it seems that attempts are being made to stretch and reinterpret the ancient words, desperately trying to make them appear prophetic, despite the glaring discrepancies. This manipulation of history only further undermines the credibility of the prophecy, revealing how unreliable and far-fetched it truly is.
