Pope Francis has an ecumenical agenda that will ultimately prove to be disastrous

Notice the following report from a Catholic writer, Carl E. Olson, who is editor of Catholic World Report and Ignatius Insight:

Francis, on occasion, makes comments that are free-floating, appearing out of nowhere and without much sense of where they come from or where they are headed. A prime example of this, for me, is this remark from the second interview:

Vatican II, inspired by Pope Paul VI and John, decided to look to the future with a modern spirit and to be open to modern culture. The Council Fathers knew that being open to modern culture meant religious ecumenism and dialogue with non-believers. But afterwards very little was done in that direction. I have the humility and ambition to want to do something.

Questions crop up immediately: What is “a modern spirit”? And what is “modern culture”, exactly? Can it be assumed that the meanings of those daunting terms are obvious to all, or even a few? Why the apparent assumption that “modern culture” is all good, an assumption that is not, contrary to rumor, exactly in keeping with Vatican II?…how can Francis say that after the Council there was “very little done” in regards to ecumenism and such? I dare say that is almost an insult to Paul VI, John Paul II, and Benedict XVI, who led the Church through remarkable dialogues and contacts with Lutherans, Anglicans, other Protestants, Eastern Orthodox, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, and even secularists. Could more be done? Sure. Have there been problems and missteps? Absolutely. But, “very little”? And then to say, “I have the humility and ambition to want to do something.” To be honest, this is the most troubling comment of all, because it displays either a remarkable lack of knowledge or a stunning bit of hubris that is, well, quite un-papal and un-Francis-like in character…

I know that many readers, like myself, were baffled that Francis did not pursue the central points of the identity and mission of Christ in his exchange with Scalfari. Was his approach wrong? I’m not willing to say that it was. However, I am willing to say that it was confusing and that it was not, in my estimation, a shining example of substantive, truly challenging dialogue with a non-believer. The bottom line, in many ways, is that the Church is not the pope’s to remake or revise or change. (Olsen CE. Pope Francis: The Good, the Baffling, and the Unclear. October 5, 2013. http://www.catholicworldreport.com/Item/2622/pope_francis_the_good_the_baffling_and_the_unclear.aspx#.UlF5eBDB9tN).

The reality is that Pope Francis does believe that he is to remake, revise, and change the Church of Rome. Furthermore, the quote attributed to him above clearly suggests that he is not at all satisfied with the lack of ecumenical unity between his church and other groups. He wants that changed and in a big way.

Notice some statements from my book The Last Pope: Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis?:

While there is not yet completely firm proof that Pope Francis I is the last pope, and if he does not perform various signs and wonders, the Bible is clear that he certainly would not be (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:9; Revelation 13:13-16).

The fact that Pope Francis I studied in Germany, has a connection to Italy, is a Jesuit, has economic interests, and has ecumenical tendencies make him a candidate to consider as the final pope…

As far as ecumenical tendencies, the Bible shows that the False Prophet, who supports the Beast of the Sea (Revelation 13:1-10) and final King of the North (Daniel 11:28-45), will be successful in getting people in the world to worship (Revelation 13:4,8) in a different way (cf. Daniel 11:36-38). Certain Catholic prophecies suggest that this leader will try to suggest that this way is the original catholic faith, which it will not be. It will likely call itself Catholic. Yet, according to biblical and Catholic prophecies, he will betray the city of seven hills (Rome).

Since Pope Francis I has not performed the types of signs and wonders that Revelation 13:13-16 requires (to cite one example) it is not clear that he is the last pope. But, because of the timing of his election and other factors, if he lives long enough, he could be…

Various Catholic prophecies warn that a major “antipope” and major schism is to come. Since there has not been an antipope since the 15^th century, for numerous reasons these could be interpreted to mean that a 21^st century pope will be an antipope who will implement changes:

Anne Catherine Emmerick (May 13, 1820): I saw again a new and odd-looking Church which they were trying to build. There was nothing holy about it…THIS IS BABEL…

Anne Catherine Emmerich (October 22, 1822): I saw in Germany among the worldly-wise ecclesiastics, and enlightened Protestants, plans formed for the blending of all religious creeds…

Anne Catherine Emmerich (April, 1823): They built a large, singular, extravagant church which was to embrace all creeds with equal rights: Evangelicals, Catholics, and all denominations, a true communion of the unholy with one shepherd and one flock. There was to be a Pope, a salaried Pope without possessions…

Melanie Mathieu (19^th century): Rome will lose faith and become the seat of Antichrist…

Priest Paul Kramer (21^st century): The errors of Orthodoxy and of Protestantism will be embraced by that false church, it will be an ecumenical church because the Anti-Pope will be recognized by the world — not by the faithful, but by the world — by the secular world and the secular governments. The Anti-Pope will be recognized as the legitimate Pope of the “church,” and the legitimate head of the Vatican State. That “church” will be united with all the false religions.

Priest Paul Kramer (21^st century): The counterfeit “Catholic” Church — the counter-church, the anti-church — the mystery of the dragon, whose tail swept down a third of the “stars of Heaven,” i.e. one third of the Catholic hierarchy under the leadership of a heretical antipope…

Laurence Ricci, S.J. (died 1775): At a time when the whole world seems doomed, God will intervene. With His aide a valiant duke will arise from the ancient German house which was humiliated by the French monarch. This great ruler will restore stolen Church property. Protestantism will cease and the Turkish empire will end. This duke will be the most powerful monarch on earth. At a gathering of men noted for piety and wisdom he will, with the aid of the Pope, introduce new rules…

D.A. Birch (20^th century): “The Pope calls an Ecumenical Council which will be viewed as the greatest in the history of the Church. The world is spiritually and materially prosperous as never before and many Jews, Mohammedans, heathens and heretics will enter the Church”…

So, although certain Catholics are looking to a time that an ecumenical pontiff will appear and their faith spread, this will be more dangerous than most realize.

A compromising “ecumenical” bishop or cardinal is expected to be the False Prophet of Revelation.

Could this be Pope Francis I?…

For years I have believed that the last pope would not truly be Catholic. He would be a different type of “antipope” (most antipopes occurred because of disputed elections, but I have suggested that a pontiff who does not hold too many of the core beliefs of the Church of Rome would also seem to fit the definition of an antipope).

Will Pope Francis I end up being that pontiff?…

The lack of realization by many Protestants that the apparently final pontiff will be an ecumenical False Prophet and the final Antichrist will sadly result in many of them joining to support him and the Beast. Hopefully, this will be only temporary…

According to Catholic prophecy:

An antipope will arise.

A pope will hold an ecumenical council that satisfies heretics and results in a more ecumenical religion being accepted.

The vast majority of Catholics will accept the antipope.

A pope that performs miracles will arise.

People around the world will accept the faith that this miracle-performing pope endorses.

A pope that supports the “Great Monarch/Prince of the North” will arise.

The Great Monarch, that the pope supports, will eliminate the Anglo-descended nations.

The “Great Monarch/Prince of the North,” that the pope supports, will eliminate an Islamic confederation.

A pope will reign with the Great Monarch for around four years.

The destruction of Rome comes after tribulations that a pope oversees.

Armies from lands, including Russia and Asia, will gather in Armageddon

A great judge comes after Rome is destroyed.

According to certain understandings of the Malachy prophecy, Pope Francis I is the last pope and if other Catholic prophecies are correct, those events will happen under his pontificate.

Thus, if all of those are true, Pope Francis I will be an antipope, he will compromise the religion of the Church of Rome, the vast majority of Catholics will accept this modified faith, the tribulation will begin while he is pontiff, Rome will be destroyed towards the end of his pontificate, and a great judge will come.

On the other hand, if the Malachy list is not complete, then we will need to wait for another pontiff/religious leader to fulfill some or all of the above.

Do these Catholic private prophecies have any relationship to biblical prophecy?

According to Bible prophecy:

A false religious leader will arise.

This false leader will encourage an ecumenical faith.

The vast majority of humankind will accept this improper faith.

A false religious leader will perform signs and lying wonders.

Nearly all humankind will be deceived by signs and lying wonders.

The final Antichrist will promote the final “Beast/King of the North” that the Bible warns against.

The “Beast/King of the North,” that the Antichrist supports will destroy the Anglo-descended nations.

The “Beast/King of the North,” will destroy an Arabic confederation.

The Great Tribulation and Day of the Lord last 3 ½ years.

A few years after the start of the Great Tribulation, Rome will be destroyed.

Jesus will come after Rome is destroyed.

While the Bible does not clearly teach that Pope Francis I is that religious leader, the timing of the election of Pope Francis I is consistent with the time period for the end of the age and the rise of the final Antichrist. Although the final reign of Antichrist with the Beast will not start for at least a few years, the Antichrist leader could be in place now.

We are living in the last days, and the last pope will take steps that will lead to the destruction of the world as we know it.

But the good news is that Jesus will return and establish the Kingdom of God—and ultimately there will be a time with no more pain, sorrow, or suffering (Revelation 21:1-4). Until then, the Bible teaches that we can expect to face many tribulations (cf. Acts 14:22), some of which will be brought about by the last pope, who may or may not be Francis I. (Thiel B. The Last Pope: Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis? Nazarene Books, 2013)

The above book has quotes of many, many, biblical and other prophecies to help you see what to look out for to determine if Pope Francis will be the final Antichrist.

Francis may very well be a pope who will call for an ecumenical council. Essentially, the one I believe that Catholic prophecies refer to would involve concurrence of at least some of the patriarchs of the Eastern Orthodox church. Having visited the offices of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople (Bartholomew), personally speaking with one of his representatives, and reading some of Patriarch Bartholomew’s comments on ecumenical unity (e.g. ), it appears to me that thus far, Pope Francis has already taken certain steps that will enable various Eastern Orthodox and other leaders to decide to attend such a council.

While the Bible does not specify such a council, since it warns of a time of a worldwide religion (Revelation 13:4,8,14-15; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12; cf. Daniel 11:36-39), it stands to reason that there would be at least some type of meeting of religious leaders of the world to come together to agree.

Francis, whether he is or is not the last pope, remains one to watch. He is taking steps consistent with being the final pontiff. Yet, presuming he is not, he continues to set the stage for the last one.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Why Should American Catholics Should Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster? Is doctrinal compromise good? Is the plan to adopt some Protestant teachings and eliminate Protestantism?
Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics Unity between these groups will put them in position to be part of the final end time Babylon that the Bible warns against as well as require improper compromise.
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God differ from most Protestants How the real Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a Church of God background.
The Last Pope Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis? Why might Pope Francis be the last pope? What happens if he is? Biblical and other prophecies help explain what to expect.
The Last Pope: Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis? Amazon Book What does the Bible say about a pope near this time? Is the final pope to be an antipope and antichrist? Does Catholic prophecy point to Pope Francis as being the dreaded “Peter the Roman”? This 186 page book provides information and answers.
The Last Pope: Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis? Kindle This electronic version of the printed book which is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to The Last Pope: Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis? Kindle.
Pope Francis: Could this Marian Focused Pontiff be Fulfilling Prophecy? Pope Francis has taken many steps to turn people more towards his version of ‘Mary.’ Could this be consistent with biblical and Catholic prophecies? This article documents what has been happening. There is also a video version titled Pope Francis: Could this Marian Focused Pontiff be Fulfilling Prophecy?
Could Pope Francis be the Last Pope and Antichrist? According to some interpretations of the prophecies of the popes by the Catholic saint and Bishop Malachy, Pope Francis I is in the position of “Peter the Roman,” the pontiff who reigns during tribulations until around the time of the destruction of Rome. Do biblical prophecies warn of someone that sounds like Peter the Roman? Could Francis I be the heretical antipope of Catholic private prophecies and the final Antichrist of Bible prophecy? This is a YouTube video.
The Malachy Prophecies and “Peter the Roman” An Irish bishop allegedly predicted something about 112 popes in the 12th century. Pope Benedict XVI was number 111. Francis would seem to be number 112–if he is that one–and if so, he is to reign until Rome is destroyed. May he be an antipope/final Antichrist?
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Continuing Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions. [Português: Qual é fiel: A igreja católica romana ou a igreja do deus?]