Pope Francis: Could this Marian Focused Pontiff be Fulfilling Prophecy?

By COGwriter

Although Bishops of Rome have long venerated Mary the mother of Jesus, starting with Pope Francis we have seen a shift in emphasis towards Marianism.

Is Pope Francis a Marian pope? If so, could this have prophetic ramifications? There is also a related YouTube video titled Pope Francis Could this Marian Focused Pontiff be Fulfilling Prophecy?

Before going into the Marian details, notice what Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio then Pope Francis, reportedly felt when he became pope:

The Pope granted the interview to the Rev Antonio Spadaro, the editor of La Civilta Cattolica, a Jesuit journal based in Rome. It was conducted in Casa Santa Marta, the plainly decorated Vatican guesthouse where he lives in room 201. He was asked how he felt when it dawned on him, during the conclave of 115 cardinals in the Sistine Chapel, that the voting was going his way and he was going to be elected Pope. "He felt a deep and inexplicable inner peace and comfort come over him, along with a great darkness," said Spadaro, "and those feelings accompanied him until his election later that day." (Francis: 'The Church could fall like a house of cards.' New Zealand Herald, September 21, 2013. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11127937 viewed 09/21/13)

A feeling of great darkness--this should set off warning bells, as this pontiff may very well have been affected by the demonic powers of darkness (cf. Ephesians 6:12).

Marian Steps

What are some of the steps that Pope Francis has taken that suggest that he is a Marian-focused pope?

On March 13, 2013 Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, became the Bishop of Rome.  He took the name Pope Francis. Notice the first place that Pope Francis visited:

In his first outing from the Vatican, Pope Francis went to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major to pray before the image of the patroness of Rome…

Cardinal Abril y Castelló:… he told me he wanted to visit Saint Mary Major. I told him I was delighted, of course, and that I would accompany him if he so wished. He answered, “Yes, of course.”

So we accompanied him. Cardinal Agostino Vallini also came. There was no one was in the Basilica for security reasons. It was a lovely moment of prayer to the Virgin, after offering her the bouquet of flowers. He stayed a while praying in silence. Then we all sang the Salve Regina.

Yesterday he said to me specifically, I want to go to pray to the Virgin to entrust my whole pontificate to her, so that she will bless it and help me. http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/welcoming-the-pope-to-mary-s-house

So, Pope Francis did not entrust his pontificate to the God of the Bible, but instead to a version of Mary that is contrary to scripture.  This is something that a real man of God simply would not do.

Francis spoke again a few days later, on March 19, 2013:

Concluding his homily, Pope Francis emphasized the role of the Bishop of Rome as one who is called to protect Jesus and Mary, creation, each person, in particular the poorest.

At the end of the Mass, Pope Francis approached the statue of the Virgin Mary while the choir sang the Marian hymn, Salve Regina.  http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/pope-francis-be-protectors-of-god-s-gift

Notice what happened the next month:

April 15, 2013

Pope Francis has asked Cardinal José Policarpo of Lisbon to dedicate his pontificate to Our Lady of Fatima.

Cardinal Policarpo confirmed the Pope’s request at a meeting of the Portuguese bishops’ conference. He said that the Pontiff had twice asked him to make the consecration.  http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=17597

Fatima is a town in Portugal where an immodestly-dressed 'Lady" allegedly appeared to three children once a month for six months in 1917 (watch also Did the Lady of Fatima Wear a Short Skirt?). Many decided that Mary, the mother of Jesus, appeared there. But the 'Lady' never claimed to be Mary and absolutely could not have been. Yet, Pope Francis dedicated his pontificate to her. If Pope Francis actually adopts the agenda of the 'Fatimists' who believe that peace will come to the earth if a pope and his bishops will consecrate Russia to the allegedly immaculate heart of Mary, this could well be a major fulfillment of biblical prophecies related to false declarations of peace as found in Ezekiel 13:2-20 and 1 Thessalonians 5:3.

Jesus warned that all but the very elect will be deceived (Matthew 24:24). The Apostle Paul added that and that signs and lying wonders will deceive those that do not have the love of the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10). Marian apparitions may very well be part of that deception and the more that Pope Francis emphasizes 'Mary,' the easier it will be for people to believe deceptive apparitions. False 'Marian' apparitions and telling people to turn towards Mary are parts of Satan's Plan.

Pope Francis repeatedly continues to direct people towards his version of “Mary” as he said the following [Translation by Joseph Trabbic]:.

April 28, 2013

Before concluding this celebration I would like to entrust the confirmandi and all of you to Our Lady. The Virgin Mary teaches us what it means to live in the Holy Spirit and what it means to welcome the newness of God in our life. She conceived Jesus by the work of the Spirit, and every Christian, each one of us, is called to welcome the Word of God, to welcome Jesus in ourselves and then bring him to everyone. Mary invoked the Spirit with the Apostles in the upper room: every time that we come together in prayer, we are supported by the spiritual presence of the Mother of Jesus, to receive the gift of the Spirit and to have the ability to bear witness to the risen Jesus. I say this in a special way to you who have received Confirmation today: may Mary help you to be attentive to that which the Lord asks of you, and always to live and to walk according to the Holy Spirit!…

Now in the Easter light, fruit of the Spirit, we turn together to the Mother of the Lord.  http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/on-the-gift-of-the-spirit

Notice the focus and emphasis towards “Mary” as the solution and aid. 

Yet the Bible teaches that there is one mediator:

5 For there is one God, and one mediator of God and men, the man Christ Jesus:

6 Who gave himself a redemption for all, a testimony in due times. (1 Timothy 2:5-6, DRB:
Douay-Rheims)

Mary is NOT supposed to mediate or make one attentive to what God asks.

Notice also a Catholic supplied translation into English of what Francis said the next month:

May 8, 2013

Dear brothers and sisters,

Good morning! The Easter season that we are living with joy, guided by the Church’s liturgy, is par excellence the time of the Holy Spirit, given “without measure” (cf. Jn 3:34) by Jesus, crucified and risen. This time of grace ends with the feast of Pentecost, in which the Church relives the outpouring of the Spirit upon Mary and the Apostles gathered in prayer in the Cenacle.

But who is the Holy Spirit? In the Creed we profess with faith: “I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life”. The first truth to which we adhere in the Creed is that the Holy Spirit is Kýrios, Lord. This means that he is truly God, as the Father and Son are, the object, for our part, of the same act of adoration and glorification that we address to the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Blessed Trinity; he is the great gift of the risen Christ that opens our minds and our hearts to faith in Jesus as the Son sent by the Father and that leads us to friendship, to communion with God.  http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/on-the-blessed-trinity

It is interesting to me, at least, that he again mentions Mary in a similar fashion to the original apostles (Francis mentions Mary a lot and has entrusted his pontificate to his version of her).

Per Pope Francis’ request, Cardinal Policarpo consecrated the pontificate of Francis to the Lady of Fatima on what some call the "Feast Day of Our Lady of Fatima" (the first item was machine-translated from Portuguese):

May 13, 2013

D. José Policarpo maintained that the Church has to assert itself as a “place of conversion and forgiveness, because it expresses the truth always in charity.”

“So you consecrate Lady, you who are the Mother of the Church, the ministry of the new Pope: fill your heart the tenderness of God, that you have experienced as anyone, so that it can embrace all men and women of this time with the love of your Son Jesus Christ, “he said…

After the moment of consecration of the pontificate, at the end of Mass, the bishop of Leiria-Fatima, D. António Marto, read a message sent by the Apostolic Nunciature in Portugal.

“The Holy Father expressed his satisfaction for the initiative and deep appreciation for the satisfaction of his desire in union of prayer with all the pilgrims of Fatima, which, at heart, gives apostolic blessing as a pledge of all goods,” referring text.  http://www.agencia.ecclesia.pt/cgi-bin/noticia.pl?id=95487

More on Fatima is in the video sermon Why Learn About Fatima?

The Pope himself did start off speaking the name of Jesus on June 9th, 2013, but ended up telling his followers to turn to Mary:

The month of June is traditionally dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus…

Let us turn to the Virgin Mary: her immaculate heart – a mother’s heart – has shared the “compassion” of God to the full, especially at the hour of the passion and death of Jesus. May Mary help us to be meek, humble and compassionate with our brethren. http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/06/09/pope_francis:_sunday_angelus_(full_text)/en1-699870

Where exactly does he go to pray? It turns the famous icon of 'Mary' is enshrined in the Borghese Chapel of the Basilica of Mary Major (in Italian this church is called the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore). This icon is known as Salus Populi Romani, or Health of the Roman People or Salvation of the Roman People, because some believe this icon performed a miracle to help keep plague from the city. The icon is believed to be at least a thousand years old, and some have improperly claimed that the gospel writer Luke painted it. This may be the oldest Marian icon in Rome and Pope Francis seems to wish to frequently kneel and pray before it.

Pope Francis went to a Marion shrine in Brazil on July 24, 2013:

Massive Crowds Greet Pope at Brazil Shrine

July 24, 2013

Pope Francis has arrived in the southeastern Brazilian city of Aparecida, where he is celebrating Mass with tens of thousands of Roman Catholics.

About 2,000 police are on hand to provide security at the shrine of the Virgin of Aparecida, the country’s symbol of the Virgin Mary. Officials expect nearly 200,000 people to gather outside the shrine during Francis’ visit…

The visit to Brazil, and his return to his home continent of South America, is the former Argentine-born Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio’s first foreign trip since he was elected pope in March.  http://www.voanews.com/content/massive-crowds-greet-pope-francis-at-southeastern-brazil-shrine/1708778.html

Pope Francis visited the enormous basilica dedicated to Our Lady of Aparecida. Who is she, and why does she matter? The tiny clay image of the Blessed Virgin represents Mary under her particular title as Patroness of Brazil. Travelers to the country testify to her presence as a sign of Brazilian Catholicism. She is seen on bumper stickers and posters, her image is made into jewelry, and replicas of the Virgin of Aparedica adorn most Catholic homes, businesses, and schools. http://www.aleteia.org/en/religion/news/whats-so-important-about-the-virgin-of-aparecida-2847001

Pope Francis was very popular in Brazil. An estimated 3,000,000 came to see him at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro in late July 2013 (a free concert a few years ago by Mick Jagger of Rolling Stones' fame only brought 1,000,000 to that beach--which still has a lot).

The focus of Pope Francis on his versions of ‘Mary’ keeps being confirmed.  Notice also the following from July 30, 2103:

Immediately upon returning to Rome after his first international voyage, Pope Francis stopped at the Roman basilica of St. Mary Major to offer prayers of thanksgiving for the success of World Youth Day. The Pope had made an unannounced trip to St. Mary Major just before his flight to Brazil for the World Youth Day celebration. He returned to the basilica after his return flight landed at Rome’s Ciampino airport on July 29.The visit was the Pope’s 3rd surprise stop at St. Mary Major. He had stunned observers on the day after his election to the papacy by crossing Rome to pray there for the protection of the Virgin Mary.  SOURCE: http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=18602

.

Notice also the following:

VATICAN CITY (AP) -- The Francis Revolution is underway. Not everyone is pleased.

Four months into his papacy, Francis has called on young Catholics in the trenches to take up spiritual arms to shake up a dusty, doctrinaire church that is losing faithful and relevance. He has said women must have a greater role - not as priests, but a place in the church that recognizes that Mary is more important than any of the apostles. And he has turned the Vatican upside down, quite possibly knocking the wind out of a poisonously homophobic culture by merely uttering the word "gay" and saying: so what?

In between, he has charmed millions of faithful and the mainstream news media, drawing the second-largest crowd ever to a papal Mass...

In a recent interview with the National Catholic Reporter, Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput said right-wing Catholics "generally have not been really happy" with Francis.

(Winfield N. Analysis: Pope's revolution; not all are pleased. AP, July 31, 2013. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_VATICAN_FRANCIS_REVOLUTION_ANALYSIS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT)

Notice also the following:

Cagliari, Italy, Sep 22, 2013 / 01:15 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- During his Sunday homily in Sardinia, the Pope explained how we should seek Christ through the intercession of our Blessed Mother, whose life was an example of faithful prayer and trust in God. “Let us not grow tired of knocking at God’s door,” he told crowds Sept. 22 in Cagliari, Sardinia. “Let us go to the heart of God through Mary, our whole life, every day, knocking at the door of God’s heart!” “Mary prays – prays together with the community of disciples, and teaches us to have full faith in God, in his mercy. This is the power of prayer!” he told the faithful. (http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/seek-god-through-his-mother-pope-encourages-faithful)

Of course there were other Marian and odd steps that Pope Francis has taken. And he seems to have taken more Marian-focused steps than any other recent pontiff. He, knowingly or unknowingly, is setting the stage for the end times.

Notice also:

Jorge Mario Bergoglio is possessed of a Marian devotion as traditional and intense as that of the famously "Totus Tuus" John Paul II – a zeal the more horizontally-oriented only begin to imitate in condescending to it. At the same time, the Pope's passion for the Madonna isn't something he sees as meaningful merely for his own spirituality, nor as part of a push to "turn the clock back" – his term, of course – but instead as an emphatic endorsement of the life-giving, ever-potent popular piety which remains a cornerstone of his desired "poor church for the poor": the essence of being Catholic for those who rely on and endure in the faith amid life's gravest tests... a practice which the church's shepherds are called to embrace and integrate into the very heart of their ministries if they genuinely seek to attain the now-omniquoted "smell of the sheep."...Papa Bergoglio knows of what he speaks even in the Stateside context – for all the noise too many of this crowd make and heed over the passing concerns that witness to little more than "worldliness," the reality remains that, even today, the two largest annual gatherings of American Catholics are both dedicated to the Mother of God...http://whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com/2013/10/mother-we-will-fight-together-we-will.html

The above report suggests, to me at least, that Pope Francis has ecumenical plans for his version of 'Mary.'  The phrase "popular piety" normally refers to how common people of Roman Catholic faith like to express or demonstrate their faith.  Or in other words, approaches to religion that the common Catholic holds dear, and likely by extension, Pope Francis hopes that other people will also be subject to embracing the same approaches.

As part of a Marian Day vigil on October 12, 2013, Pope Francis said:

The statue of Our Lady, which has come from Fatima, helps us to feel her presence in our midst. Mary always brings us to Jesus...This evening, O Mary, we thank you for our faith, and we renew our entrustment to you, Mother of our faith.  (October 12, 2103 http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-speaks-about-the-faith-of-mary)

The next day he also consecrated the world to that statue.

But the statue that came from Fatima does not look like what the children in Fatima in 1917.  And Christians are to entrust their faith to Jesus, as the following Catholic-translation of Hebrews 12:2 shows:

Looking on Jesus, the author and finisher of faith (Hebrews 12:2, Douay-Rheims)

'Mary' is not really part of the faith equation, despite what Francis is suggesting.  As far as entrustment goes, not one of the 73 times an electronic search of the Douay-Rheims for the word "trust" did it refer to trusting Mary.  The Bible teaches that people are to trust God, it never teaches that Christians are to be their trust in 'Mary' nor that she is the source of our faith.

The next month, Pope Francis decided to follow Russian President Putin and kiss a Marian icon:

November 25, 2013

VATICAN CITY -- Russian President Vladimir Putin showed off his religious side during a visit Monday to the Vatican, stopping to cross himself and kiss an icon of the Madonna that he gave to Pope Francis...

Francis gave Putin a ceramic mosaic of the Vatican gardens, and Putin presented Francis with an image of the icon of the Madonna of Vladimir, an important religious icon for the Russian Orthodox faithful.

After they exchanged the gifts, Putin asked Francis if he liked the icon, and Francis said he did. Putin then crossed himself and kissed the image, and Francis followed suit.

The Argentine pope is particularly devoted to Marian icons.  http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/11/25/3778477/putin-shows-faith-kisses-madonna.html#storylink=cpy

Pope Francis is not following apostolic tradition. This idolatry is wrong and was not a practice of the early Christians (see also What Did the Early Church Teach About Idols and Icons?).

Notice also Pope Francis' message on 12/11/13:

MESSAGE TO THE AMERICAS for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Tomorrow is the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Patroness of the Americas. I would like to greet all my brothers and sisters on that continent, and I do so thinking of the Virgin of Tepeyac.

When Our Lady appeared to Saint Juan Diego, her face was that of a woman of mixed blood, a mestiza, and her garments bore many symbols of the native culture. Like Jesus, Mary is close to all her sons and daughters; as a concerned mother, she accompanies them on their way through life. She shares all the joys and hopes, the sorrows and troubles of God’s People, which is made up of men and women of every race and nation.

When the image of the Virgin appeared on the tilma of Juan Diego, it was the prophecy of an embrace: Mary’s embrace of all the peoples of the vast expanses of America – the peoples who already lived there, and those who were yet to come. Mary’s embrace showed what America – North and South – is called to be: a land where different peoples come together; a land prepared to accept human life at every stage, from the mother’s womb to old age; a land which welcomes immigrants, and the poor and the marginalized, in every age. A land of generosity.

That is the message of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and it is also my message, the message of the Church. I ask all the people of the Americas to open wide their arms, like the Virgin, with love and tenderness. http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/12/11/pope_francis_sends_message_to_the_americas/en1-754682

More on Guadalupe can be found in the post Do you understand the ramifications of the ‘Lady of Guadalupe’?

Notice also :

VATICAN CITY, January 02, 2014 (Zenit.org) - In his homily on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, Pope Francis called the faithful to look to Mary as a Mother of all and messenger of true hope. Addressing pilgrims in St. Peter’s basilica Jan. 1, he began by recalling God’s blessing to Moses in the Book of Numbers: “The Lord bless you and keep you ... The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”

“Mother of God is the first and most important title of Our Lady,” he went on, noting that in their devotion to her from early times, the faithful had understood this “from the beginning.”

Pope Francis recalled the ancient Council of Ephesus which “authoritatively defined” the divine motherhood of the Virgin Mary and later “the first Marian shrine in Rome and the entire West” which was erected in devotion to her in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major. (Pope: Look to Mary as Mother of All, Messenger of Hope. January 2, 2014. http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/pope-look-to-mary-as-mother-of-all-messenger-of-hope)

It should be noted that the Council of Ephesus was not until the fifth century, the idea of Mary being the "Mother of God" hence was not originally believed "from the beginning" (for more details, see also Origin of the Marian Dogmas).

The fact that this Pope seems to be passing misinformation about this is a concern.

Pope Francis keeps appealing to apparitions and asks people to pray for their intercession. Notice what he said on February 26, 2014:

Pope Francis is calling for "sincere dialogue" in his first public comments on the ongoing crisis in Venezuela...Pope Francis said he hoped "the country quickly returns to peace and calm".

The Pontiff invited all Catholics "to pray to God, through the maternal intercession of our Lady of Coromoto [the patron saint of Venezuela]", for peace and harmony to return to Venezuela.  http://www.voanews.com/content/pope-francis-calls-for-serious-dialogue-in-venezuela-/1859560.html

Pope Francis is telling people to pray to his version of Mary. The 'Lady of Coromoto' is an apparition that that that allegedly appeared twice to the chief of the local tribe, once in 1651 and again on September 8, 1652.  Pope Francis has also prayed to Mary for peace in Syria, and elsewhere. The Bible teaches that Jesus is the 'Prince of Peace' (Isaiah 9:6) and nowhere says to pray to Mary nor apparitions falsely claimed to be her.

Notice what he did on August 10, 2014:

Pope Francis made an appeal for peace...

Pope Francis concluded his appeal by inviting all present to pray for peace. "Let us pray to the God of peace, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary: Give peace, Lord, to our days and make us builders of justice and peace. Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us," he said. (Esteves JA. Pope Francis: You Cannot Make War in the Name of God! Zenit, August 10, 2014. http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/pope-francis-you-cannot-make-war-in-the-name-of-god)

Notice what he did on two occasions in August:

August 15, 2014:

Pope's Address to Young People of Asia

For now, let us thank the Lord for the blessings of this time together and ask him for the strength to be faithful and joyful, faithful and joyful, witnesses of his love throughout Asia and the entire world.

May Mary, our Mother, watch over you...http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/pope-s-address-to-young-people-of-asia

August 17, 2014

Dear young people of Asia, it is my hope that, in union with Christ and the Church, you will take up this path, which will surely bring you much joy. Now, as we approach the table of the Eucharist, let us turn to our Mother Mary, who brought Jesus to the world. http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/pope-s-homily-at-concluding-mass-for-6th-asian-youth-day

No verse in the Bible says to pray to, turn to, or call upon, the name of Mary, or have her watch over anyone.

The Douay-Rheims Bible (DRB), a Roman Catholic Bible, in both the Old and New Testament teaches to turn to God:

13 And rend your hearts, and not your garments, and turn to the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, patient and rich in mercy, and ready to repent of the evil. (Joel 2:13, DRB)

I preach, that they should...turn to God (Acts 26:20, DRB).

It never says to turn to Mary.

Here is some of what Pope Francis said in March 2015:

Before the image of the Virgin of the Rosary brought to Naples by Bartolo Longo in 1875, Francis pronounced the “petition prayer” from the Blessed’s historic prayer. And he said: “We entrust to you our miseries, the many streets of hate and blood,” adding: “You will be in our hands a weapon of peace and forgiveness.”

“Virgin of the Holy Rosary, Mother of the Redeemer, our earthly Lady raised above the heavens,” Francis prayed, “humble servant of the Lord, proclaimed Queen of the world, from the depth of our miseries we turn to you. With the faithfulness of children we look to your sweet gaze.” 

“Crowned with twelve stars,” his recitation continued, “you bring us to the mystery of the Father, you shine the splendour of the Holy Spirit, you give us our Divine Child, Jesus, our hope, our only salvation in the world. Comforted by your Rosary, you invite us to be fixed to his gaze. You open to us His heart, abyss of joy and sorry, of light and glory, mystery of the son of God, made man for us. At your feet in the footsteps of the saints, we feel as God’s family.”

“Mother and model of the Church,” the Pope continued, “you are our guide and secure support. Make us one heart and one mind, a strong people on the way towards the heavenly homeland. We entrust our miseries, the many streets of hate and blood, the thousands of ancient and new poverties and above all, our sins. To you we entrust ourselves, Mother of Mercy: grant us the forgiveness of God, help us to build a world according to your heart.

“O Blessed Rosary of Mary, sweet chain that ties us to God, chain of love that makes us brothers, we will not leave you again. You will be in our hands a weapon of peace and forgiveness, star that guides our path. And the kiss to you with our last breath, we plunge into a wave of light, in the vision of the beloved Mother and the Son of God, the desire and joy of our heart, with the Father and the Holy Spirit.” http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/news/detail/articolo/francesco-pompei-napoli-39917/

Notice also that the only two times the DRB uses the term intercession it is referring to Jesus, not Mary:

34 Who is he that shall condemn? Christ Jesus that died, yea that is risen also again; who is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. (Romans 8:34, DRB)

25 Whereby he is able also to save for ever them that come to God by him; always living to make intercession for us. (Hebrews 7:25, DRB)

Mary is not the intercessor of the Bible, nor was she considered to be by the early Christian church (see also Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Apparitions). Considering that Mary provides intercession is not biblically-proper and has other negative consequences.

We are not to call on, or turn to, Mary, but on the Lord God Jesus:

22 But flee thou youthful desires, and pursue justice, faith, charity, and peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (2 Timothy 2:22, DRB)

Notice who is the Lord of peace according to the Apostle Paul:

16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you everlasting peace in every place. The Lord be with you all.  17 The salutation of Paul with my own hand; which is the sign in every epistle. So I write. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. (2 Thessalonians 3:16-18)

Mary is NOT the way to peace according to the Bible (cf. Romans 3:17; watch also Wars, rumors of wars, and the Apocalypse).

Notice also the following:

September 5, 2014

Pope Francis, Mary Is Not My Mother, and I Am Not an Orphan

Pope Francis has been a breath of fresh air for many Catholics seeking greater liberty and a growing concern for conservative Christians who take issue with his comments about homosexuality and other cultural issues.

But the pontiff’s latest statement is sparking an uproar from believers around the world. Pope Francis sent a tweet Tuesday that absolutely violates the truth of Scripture:

“The Christian who does not feel that the Virgin Mary is his or her mother is an orphan,” Pope Francis tweeted. …

What About Romans 8:14-15?

Mary was a humble willing servant and a good example of godly motherhood, but she does not bring forth sons and daughters through baptism or nourish us through the Word of God beyond her example of humble servanthood in the Bible. What concerns me more, though, is the notion of people being orphans if they don’t consider Mary their mother. Let’s consider this statement in the light of Scripture. Romans 8:14-17 shines light on the issue of orphans in Christ—there are no orphans in Christ:

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”

Nowhere in these verses does it make mention of Mary. Rather, we see the Father, the Christ and the Holy Spirit at work in a believer’s life. That’s Bible. If that’s not enough, Jesus Himself stated plainly: “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:18). I don’t mean this in a sarcastic manner at all, but please note that Jesus did not say Mary would come to them, or that He would bring Mary with them, or that Mary is praying for them, or that they should pray to Mary.

There are other issues in the Catholic religion that don’t line up with Scripture, but suggesting that ”The Christian who does not feel that the Virgin Mary is his or her mother is an orphan” contradicts the simplicity of the gospel and excludes the millions of Protestants around the world who honor Mary as the mother of Jesus but do not ask for her help from heaven. Christians are justified by faith (Rom. 5:1)—the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Cor. 5:21). Mary was a blessed vessel God chose to bring the Messiah into the world, but Jesus did not exalt her, and neither should we.  http://www.charismanews.com/opinion/watchman-on-the-wall/45287-pope-francis-mary-is-not-my-mother-and-i-am-not-an-orphan

But even many Protestants are starting to venerate Mary.  This veneration is part of Pope Francis’ objective and he continues to encourage his ecumenical/interfaith Marian agenda (see also Will the Interfaith Movement Lead to Peace or Sudden Destruction?).

Notice also the following:

September 15, 2014

According to an article by Vatican Radio, it reports that Pope Francis attended the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows on Monday morning Mass at Casa Santa Marta. He made a reflection on the Virgin Mary, on how she learned, obeyed, and suffered at the foot of the Cross.

“And this is our hope. We are not orphans, we have Mothers: Mother Mary. But the Church is Mother and the Mother Church is anointed when it takes the same path of Jesus and Mary: the path of obedience, the path of suffering, and when she has that attitude of continually learning the path of the Lord. These two women – Mary and the Church – carry on the hope that is Christ, they give us Christ, they bring forth Christ in us. Without Mary, there would be no Jesus Christ; without the Church, we cannot go forward.”

The argument being presented is that Jesus Christ, the one who says that the only way to the Father is through Me, has been demoted to third place. By stating that without Mary, there would be no Jesus Christ, and with no church, they cannot move forward, Pope Francis effectually placed the Virgin Mary at the Godhead level. http://www.inquisitr.com/1477428/pope-francis-about-to-decree-virgin-mary-to-be-more-important-than-jesus-christ/#wOdxcImL5WbbXj7j.99

Pope Francis entrusted Albania to 'Mary' as well as what he calls 'the Chaldean Church':

September 21, 2014

"As Saint John Paul II did in April 1993, I invoke upon Albania the protection of Mary, Mother of Good Counsel, entrusting to her the hopes of the entire Albanian people. May God abundantly pour out his grace and blessing upon Albania," he concluded. http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/pope-francis-arrives-in-the-land-of-the-eagles

October 26, 2015

Entrusting the Chaldean Church to the maternal protection of the Virgin Mary, I impart to you, your priests and religious, and all the faithful, my Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of hope and consolation in the love of our Merciful God. http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/pope-s-address-to-chaldean-bishops

Catholic versions of the Bible confirm that true Christians trust in God:

11 Serve the LORD with fear; exult with trembling, Accept correction lest he become angry and you perish along the way when his anger suddenly blazes up.Blessed are all who take refuge in him! (Psalm 2:11, NAB)

3 Trust in the Lord, and do good, and dwell in the land, and thou shalt be fed with its riches. (Psalms 36:3, DRB)

5 Blessed is the man whose trust is in the name of the Lord;  (Psalms 39:5, DRB)

12 I will declare thy name to my brethren; in the midst of the church will I praise thee. 13 And again: I will put my trust in him. And again: Behold I and my children, whom God hath given me. (Hebrews 2:12-13, DRB)

9 But we had in ourselves the answer of death, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raiseth the dead. 10 Who hath delivered and doth deliver us out of so great dangers: in whom we trust that he will yet also deliver us. (2 Corinthians 1:9-10, DRB)

Sacred scripture never says to entrust any person nor any nation to Mary.  Blessings, according to the Bible, come from trusting God, not Mary.

On October 26, 2014, Pope Francis made another odd Marian statement:

Before reciting the Angelus prayer, Pope Francis {said} that Jesus’ response to the Pharisees gives Christians the criteria that should form the basis of their lives: the gift of the Spirit that allows all to love God and neighbor.

“Through the intercession of Mary, our Mother,” he concluded, “let us open ourselves to receive this gift of love, to walk always in this law, of two faces that are one face, in the law of love.” http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/pope-francis-loving-god-and-neighbor-is-at-the-heart-of-christian-life

The above was a homily about loving ones neighbor. Jesus NEVER said any were to ask for His mother's intervention to do that.

Notice something related to the pontiff's actions on December 8, 2014:

The pontiff known as Pope Francis led Catholics in the annual observance of the holiday, delivering an Angelus address in St. Peter’s Square.

“Oh Mary, our mother, today the people of God in celebration venerates you, the immaculate, preserved from the contagion of sin from the beginning,” he prayed. “Accept the gift I offer on behalf of the church in Rome and throughout the whole world.”

“In this time that leads us to the feast of the birth of Jesus, teach us to go against the tide,” Francis continued. “The power of God’s love, which has preserved you from original sin, freed all of humanity through your intercession from every spiritual and material slavery and made the designs of God’s salvation victorious within hearts and events.”

According to the National Catholic Register, he also declared to the crowds gathered that in Mary “there was no room for sin,” because “God had chosen her to be the mother of Jesus,” which resulted in her being preserved from “original sin.”

The pontiff later venerated the Statue of the Immaculate Conception in Rome’s Piazza di Spagna and invited others to join him. The statue was created in 1857 as a mark of the Roman Catholic belief that Mary was conceived without sin.

“I ask you to spiritually unite yourselves to me in this pilgrimage, which expresses filial devotion to our heavenly mother,” he said.

Francis also visited the Basilica of St. Mary Major, where he venerated the statue known as the Salus Populi Romani.

The concept of the “immaculate conception” was declared by Pope Pius IX on December 8, 1844, who issued a proclamation stating, “The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin.”

But some state that the Roman Catholic holiday is unbiblical as there is no Scriptural basis to state that Mary was sinless, which is also noted in the Catholic Encyclopedia.

“We know from Scripture that Mary must have known she was a sinner who needed a Savior when she said, ‘My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior’ (Luke 1:47),” Mike Gendron of Proclaiming the Gospel Ministries told Christian News Network. “The infallible word of God declares that ‘all of sinned and fall short of the glory of God’ (Rom. 3:23). Mary was no exception. God’s word tells us that sin entered the world through Adam, ‘and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned’ (Rom. 5:12).”

Francis also visited the Basilica of St. Mary Major, where he venerated the statue known as the Salus Populi Romani.

The concept of the “immaculate conception” was declared by Pope Pius IX on December 8, 1844, who issued a proclamation stating, “The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin.”

But some state that the Roman Catholic holiday is unbiblical as there is no Scriptural basis to state that Mary was sinless, which is also noted in the Catholic Encyclopedia.

“We know from Scripture that Mary must have known she was a sinner who needed a Savior when she said, ‘My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior’ (Luke 1:47),” Mike Gendron of Proclaiming the Gospel Ministries told Christian News Network. “The infallible word of God declares that ‘all of sinned and fall short of the glory of God’ (Rom. 3:23). Mary was no exception. God’s word tells us that sin entered the world through Adam, ‘and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned’ (Rom. 5:12).”

“The doctrine of Mary’s pure conception without sin is pure heresy,” he continued, adding that Catholic doctrine not only teaches that Mary was sinless, but that she has power to save. “[The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)] teaches ‘Mary did not lay aside this saving office but by her manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation.’ (CCC, para. 969). ‘The Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things. In giving birth, you kept your virginity. You conceived the living God and, by your prayers, will deliver our souls from death.’ (CCC, para. 966).”

Gendron said that the CCC also instructs that Mary is ” to be praised with special devotion (CCC, para, 971) and that “[s]he was the cause of salvation for herself and the whole human race (CCC, para. 494).”

“The Catholic Church promises that all those who seek Mary’s protection will be saved for all eternity,” he stated.

Gendron, a former Roman Catholic who now leads a ministry to evangelize Catholics, stated that these teachings are unbiblical as the Scriptures give no veneration to Mary throughout her earthly life.

“These doctrines have robbed God of His glory and have resulted in Catholics showing greater devotion to Mary than to the Lord Jesus Christ,” he said. “When she appears with the other believers on the day of Pentecost, she’s not an object of worship or even a leader in the early church. There are no occasions of anyone ever praying to her, honoring her or venerating her. She is never mentioned in any presentation of the Gospel.” http://christiannews.net/2014/12/10/pope-claims-mary-was-conceived-without-original-sin-during-feast-of-immaculate-conception/

Pope Francis may look like a lamb to some, but he truly speaks like a dragon (cf. Revelation 13:11). 'Mary' is not the way, truth, or life:

6 Jesus said: I am the Way; I am Truth and Life. No one can come to the Father except through me. (John 14:6, New Jerusalem Bible)

Note: I intentionally quoted a Catholic approved translation of the above verse to show that ALL should know that Jesus, and NOT 'Mary' is the way.

Notice what the Pope at the start of the Roman new year:

January 2, 2015

"On this first day of the year, in the joyful atmosphere of Christmas, the Church invites us to fix our gaze of faith and of love on the Mother of Jesus."

The Pope extended this invitation when speaking to the crowds gathered for the Angelus in St. Peter's Square on Thursday, on the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God. ...

Pope Francis prayed that Mary “extend the mantle of your maternal protection over each and every one of us in the New Year: ‘O Holy Mother of God despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin.’” http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/pope-s-angelus-we-are-invited-to-fix-our-gaze-on-love-of-mary

The above position of Pope Francis is wrong.  The Bible NEVER TEACHES THAT WE FIX OUR GAZE OF FAITH ON JESUS' MOTHER.  This is part of the false gospel that Pope Francis advocates.

Pope Francis has claimed that 'Mary' is at Fatima:

Fatima

In his response to a question regarding an eventual visit to Portugal to commemorate the centenary of the apparitions of the Virgin at Fatima, Francis expressed, ”I said I want to go, I’d like to go. It is easier to get to Portugal, we can go and return on the same day or, at the most, go for a day and half or two days. To go and see the Blessed Virgin.” (Lubov B. Pope in Interview With Portuguese Radio Speaks on Migrants, Annulments, ‘Grandmother Europe’. Zenit, September 14, 2015)

Jesus' mother Mary is NOT present in Fatima, Portugal.

While this article is not reporting on every Marian statement or visit by Pope Francis, the following from 2016 shows that he remains at it:

February 14, 2016

On Saturday Pope Francis fulfilled his much-desired wish to pray in silence before the miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

After celebrating the first Mass of his papal trip to Mexico, the Pope made his way to the “camarin” (“little room”) behind the main altar of the basilica dedicated to Mary. The miraculous mantle, which normally faces the congregation, can be turned around to allow a closer and more private moment of veneration. ...

Built in 1976, the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe is located near Tepeyac hill, the site of Mary’s apparitions to St Juan Diego in 1531. With some 12 million people visiting each year, it is Catholicism’s most popular Marian shrine. http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2016/02/14/98956/

Vatican Radio) At the conclusion of Holy Mass Saturday at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Pope Francis led the faithful in the Rite of Coronation of the image of the Most Holy Virgin of Guadalupe.  Veronica Scarisbrick is our correspondent traveling with Pope Francis in Mexico. She takes a look at the importance of this Marian image and the history behind it:

“You are not an orphaned people, as you are proud to have a ‘Mother” Pope Francis once said speaking to Mexicans about Our Lady of Guadalupe.

 I asked a number of people here Mexico City what the 'Morenita' meant to them and they all replied: 'She  is our ‘Mother’. Except for one person, a security guard who replied: 'She is our 'jefa', our boss. 

 I don’t know what Pope Francis would have said to that but what’s certain is that his devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe runs deep. http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/02/13/coronation_of_the_most_holy_virgin_of_guadalupe/1208365

Notice also the following:

Pope Francis says Jesus is not our hope, Mary and the Mother Church are

May 26, 2016

Pope Francis, speaking to mark the occasion of the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows in Casa Santa Marta, said the following: “And this is our hope. We are not orphans, we have Mothers: Mother Mary. But the Church is Mother and the Mother Church is anointed when it takes the same path of Jesus and Mary: the path of obedience, the path of suffering, and when she has that attitude of continually learning the path of the Lord. These two women -- Mary and the Church -- carry on the hope that is Christ, they give us Christ, they bring forth Christ in us. Without Mary, there would be no Jesus Christ; without the Church, we cannot go forward“. Source Vatican.va

Jesus has been demoted to third place behind ‘mother’ Mary and the ‘Holy Mother Church’, the Roman Catholic Church. The bible says, however that the “blessed hope” of the Christian is “the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” Scripture never mentions Mary one time as being the hope of anyone or anything. But if you’re a Catholic Francis says that “ today we can go forward with a hope: the hope that our Mother Mary, steadfast at the Cross, and our Holy Mother, the hierarchical Church, give us.“

Jesus has been demoted to third place behind ‘mother’ Mary and the ‘Holy Mother Church’, the Roman Catholic Church. The bible says, however that the “blessed hope” of the Christian is “the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” Scripture never mentions Mary one time as being the hope of anyone or anything. But if you’re a Catholic Francis says that “ today we can go forward with a hope: the hope that our Mother Mary, steadfast at the Cross, and our Holy Mother, the hierarchical Church, give us.“ http://amredeemed.com/doctrines/catholic/pope-francis-says-jesus-not-hope-mary-mother-church/

Of course, as even The Catholic Encyclopedia admits, no early Christian venerated Jesus' mother Mary (see Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Apparitions).  Yet, Pope Francis and many others venerate/worship something that they claim is supposed to be her. Mary is NOT our mother nor our boss. For Christians, we are to follow Jesus.

Notice also:

April 13, 2017

History’s first Latin American pontiff, well-known for his own ardent devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, also advised priests that a priesthood without Mary is a non-starter.

“Without the Madonna, we can’t go forward in our priesthood!” Francis said. https://cruxnow.com/analysis/2017/04/13/priesthood-pope-francis-says-devil-details/

Pope Francis is planning on going to Fatima, Portugal in May to celebrate the 100th anniversary of an apparition he believes is Marian:

The Vatican has released the full schedule for a visit by Pope Francis to Fatima in May.

The Holy Father will leave Rome on Friday afternoon, May 12, flying into the Monte Real air base in Portugal. After meeting with President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, he will be transported by helicopter to Fatima, where he will lead pilgrims in the Rosary at the Chapel of the Apparitions that evening.

On Saturday, May 13, the Pope will meet in the morning with Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa. then he will celebrate Mass at the Fatima shrine.03/20/17 http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=31060

He also delared two of the three children who saw the apparition as Catholic saints. He wants people to have more interest in his version of 'Mary.' Watch also: Fatima and Pope Francis.

There are many other examples from 2017 and 2018 of his Marian focus, butlet the following one suffice to demonstrates his focus:

March 3, 2018

Vatican City, Mar 3, 2018 / 06:08 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Saturday, the Vatican announced Pope Francis’ decision that the Church celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary in her role as “Mother of the Church” every year on the Monday after Pentecost, as a way to foster Marian piety and the maternal sense of the Church.

The decree establishing the memorial was published March 3 in a letter from Cardinal Robert Sarah, head of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

As Sarah explained, Pope Francis added the memorial to the Roman Calendar after carefully considering how the promotion of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary under this particular title might encourage growth in “the maternal sense of the Church” and in “genuine Marian piety.”

“This celebration will help us to remember that growth in the Christian life must be anchored to the Mystery of the Cross, to the oblation of Christ in the Eucharistic Banquet and to the Mother of the Redeemer and Mother of the Redeemed,” Sarah wrote.

The cardinal noted that the “joyous veneration given to the Mother of God by the contemporary Church, in light of reflection on the mystery of Christ and on his nature, cannot ignore the figure of a woman, the Virgin Mary, who is both the Mother of Christ and Mother of the Church.”

The memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, has been added to the General Roman Calendar, the Roman Missal, and the Liturgy of the Hours. The Latin text has been published, and the translations will be prepared by the bishops’ conferences and approved by the congregation.

A celebration of a memorial generally means that prayers and readings specific to the day’s memorial are used in the Mass. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/memorial-of-mary-mother-of-the-church-added-to-liturgical-calendar-43501

The Marian title of “Mother of the Church,” was given to the Blessed Mother by Bl. Pope Paul VI at the Second Vatican Council.

So, Pope Francis has added ANOTHER Marian day of observance. He clearly has a Marian focus.

Notice something else he declared:

January 27, 2019

Pope Francis invited a crowd of young Catholics gathered in Panama City to follow the footsteps of the Virgin Mary, calling her the biggest “influencer” of all times.

With her “yes”, Mary became the most influential woman in history. Without social networks, she became the first “influencer”: the “influencer” of God. #Panama2019

— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) January 27, 2019

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-01-27/pope-francis-calls-mary-history-s-biggest-influencer

Pope Francis pushes Marianism.

Stamp Honoring Mary Vision to John Bosco

The Vatican, which makes money selling stamps, has announced a new stamp to honor the Roman Catholic saint and false prophet Don, also known as John, Bosco.  Here is some of what Zenit, a pro-Vatican news agency reported about it:

Vatican issues stamp commemorating St. John Bosco’s dream

(ZENIT News / Roma, 02.21.2024).- The Vatican Post Office announced the issuance of a commemorative stamp dedicated to the dream that Saint John Bosco had at the age of nine, coinciding with the bicentenary of this event. The issuance went on sale on February 19th and is available for both collections and enthusiasts. The stamp features an oil painting by the artist Mario Bogani from 1999, depicting the dream of the young John Bosco, who is taken by the hand by the Virgin Mary, with the presence of Jesus by his side. This dream profoundly marked the life of the saint and guided his future choices. The face value of the stamp will be 1.30 euros, and a sheet composed of nine stamps with a total face value of 11.70 euros will also be issued, all bearing the inscription “The Dream of Saint John Bosco” and the dates “1824” and “2024”. https://zenit.org/2024/02/21/vatican-issues-stamp-commemorating-st-john-boscos-dream/

John Bosco was a false prophet and a promoter of a false version of Mary. Yet, Pope Francis is having a stamp put out commemorating him.

In 1825, when he was nine, Bosco had the first of a series of dreams which would play an influential role in his outlook and life.

While many believe he did a lot of charitable works, he had a variety of improper teachings, and some that came from his dreams/visions.

As far as him being a false prophet, notice one of his prophecies, involving turning people to ‘Mary’:

Added Two Holidays

Pope Francis added more two holidays for Mary.

Here is one he announced in 2018:

4 March, 2018

Pope Francis decrees new celebration dedicated to Virgin Mary

Pope Francis has officially declared a feast day for celebrating the Virgin Mary as the “Mother of the Church.” …

Pope Francis decreed that the feast day, which designates Mary as the “Mother of the Church,” would be celebrated on the Monday following Pentecost. This year, the day falls on May 21.

The decree stated that the feast day is intended to celebrate Mary not only as the mother of Jesus, but also as a fundamental figure in the church.

Francis hoped the feast day would “encourage the growth of the maternal sense of the church in the pastors, religious and faithful, as well as a growth of genuine Marian piety.”

The Catholic Church already has a liturgical celebration honoring Mary as the “Mother of the Church” that began in 1975. Individual countries, dioceses and religious orders have also held Virgin Mary celebrations for longer periods of time — but Saturday’s decree means the celebration will now apply to all of the Roman Catholic Church. http://www.dw.com/en/pope-francis-decrees-new-celebration-dedicated-to-virgin-mary/a-42815882

Here is one he announced in 2019:

Pope Francis Adds New Marian Feast to Roman Calendar

October 31, 2019

VATICAN CITY— Pope Francis has decreed that the feast of Our Lady of Loreto be included in the Roman Calendar as an optional memorial to be celebrated on Dec. 10.

“This celebration will help all people, especially families, youth and religious, to imitate the virtues of that perfect disciple of the Gospel, the Virgin Mother, who, in conceiving the Head of the Church also accepted us as her own,” Cardinal Robert Sarah, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship, stated in the decree published Oct. 31.

With the decree, the optional memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Loreto must appear in all calendars and liturgical books for the celebration of the Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours.

Catholic pilgrims travel to the small Italian town of Loreto to stand inside the Holy House of Mary, preserved in a basilica, in which Tradition holds that the Virgin Mary was born, raised and greeted by the Gabriel the Archangel at the Annunciation. …

Pope Francis said in Loreto March 25. “The Holy House of Mary is the ‘home of the family,’” he said during his visit, noting that “in the delicate situation of today’s world, the family founded on marriage between a man and a woman takes on an importance and an essential mission.”

In a homily in 1995, St. Pope John Paul II called the Holy House of Loreto “the house of all God’s adopted children.” http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/pope-francis-adds-feast-of-our-lady-of-loreto-to-roman-calendar

The title Our Lady of Loreto refers to the Holy House of Loreto, the house in which Mary was born, and where the Annunciation occurred, and to an ancient statue of Our Lady which is found there. Tradition says that a band of angels scooped up the little house from the Holy Land, and transported it first to Tersato, Dalmatia in 1291, then Recanati, Italy in 1294, and finally to Loreto, Italy where it has been for centuries. https://catholicsaints.info/our-lady-of-loreto/ accessed 11/01/19

Pushing his version of ‘Mary’ is something Pope Francis has been doing for years. It is part of his ecumenical, interfaith, and European agendas.

European agenda?

Yes.

In addition to Pope Francis getting the Charlemagne Prize for his promoting of European unity (see Pope Francis given ‘Charlemagne Prize;’ EU leaders worried about EU’s future), the Church of Rome has other ties from ‘Mary’ to Europe.

Notice something that was in Vatican News back in 2012:

Symbolism of EU flag is Marian

22 October 2012

The symbol of Europe was conceived by a Catholic and tomorrow, for the first time, the statue of Our Lady of Fatima will be carried past the EU Parliament building…

Lorenzo Fontana and Mario Borghesio said the arrival of the statue of Our Lady of Fatima in Strasbourg is “a unique event.” “Few people know that the symbol of unified Europe has exquisitely Marian origins, as the European Union’s official flag proves with its twelve stars and the Virgin Mary’s blue and white colours.”…

A competition was held in order to choose the flag and French Catholic designer Arsène Heitz won. The meaning of the flag’s symbolism can be found in an image of Marian devotion…

Heitz was inspired by the “Miraculous Medal” he wore around his neck: a medal named after apparition of the Virgin Mary to St Catherine Laboure in 1830. It was the Virgin Mary who told the nun to have twelve stars struck on the medal, in representation of the the stars on the crown worn by the woman in the Book of Revelation. Saint Bernadette Soubirous also had a necklace made of tin and string around her neck when the Virgin Mary appeared to her on 11 February 1858, dressed in white and blue.

Arsène Heitz did not reveal the symbol’s biblical origin (he only did so later on), but claimed the number twelve was meant to symbolise ancient wisdom, a “symbol of completeness”. This interpretation stuck and the number was confirmed in the constitutional treaty. So the European flag has a powerful Christian and Marian significance. Tomorrow Mary will “take back” the EU. http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/inquiries-and-interviews/detail/articolo/europa-europe-19118/

(It may be of interest to note that the statue claimed to be the Lady of Fatima going to the EU does not look anything like how the three children who saw the apparition described it. For details, including pictures of the Fatima statue and what was really seen, please check out the book Fatima Shock! What the Vatican Does Not Want You to Know About Fatima, Dogmas of Mary, and Future Apparitions. In addition to the print version, there is a Kindle version of Fatima Shock! which you can acquire in seconds.)

There will be something resembling a United States of Europe and Europe already has Marian connections. Biblical as well as Catholic prophecy suggest that signs and enchantments from one called a “virgin” and “Lady” will happen at the time of the end (cf. Isaiah 47).

As far as the comment in the Vatican News that Mary will “take back” the EU, notice the following:

R. Gerald Culleton (20th century): During the reign of the Great Monarch and the Angelic Pastor the Catholic Church will spread throughout the world, conversions will be innumerable…The Blessed Virgin will be the chief one in gaining victory over all heresy…

Blessed Hieronymus Agathaghelos (1279): The Angel, Mary and John, along with the great and first among martyrs…will intercede.

Anna-Katrina Emmerick (July 12, 1820): When the Mass had ended, Mary came up to Henry (the Emperor), and she extended her right hand towards him, saying that it was in recognition of his purity. Then, she urged him not to falter…

Catholic writer Yves Dupont (20th century): Henry is the Great Monarch…The Blessed Virgin urges him not to falter.

Saint Louis de Montfort (18th century): These great souls…shall be singularly devouted to our Blessed Lady, illuminated by her nourishment, led by her spirit, supported by her arm, and sheltered under her protection, so that they shall fight in one hand and build with the other. With the one hand they shall fight, overthrow and crush the heretics with their heresies, the schismatics with their schisms…

The Ecstatic of Tours: …the French people will… implore the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary Immaculate…The French people will ask for the good King…this King…will ascend to the throne; he will free the church and reassert the Pope’s rights…

Sister Marie Lataste (died 1847): Peace shall return to the world because of Blessed Virgin Mary will breathe over the storms and quell them.

Pope Pius IX (died 1878): We expect that the Immaculate Virgin…will gain in influence from day to day among all nations and in all places, prosper and rule from ocean to ocean…to the ends of the earth…there will be one fold and one shepherd. (Thiel B. Fatima Shock! What the Vatican Does Not Want You to Know About Fatima, Dogmas of Mary, and Future Apparitions, 2nd edition. 2012, pp. 204-205)

The “Great Monarch” according to Catholic mystics will be the final emperor of Europe, and according to various Catholic mystics, “Mary” will assist him in his objectives–including helping get Europeans (and others) to accept a more ecumenical form of Catholicism.

What About China?

What about China, Pope Francis, and Mary? Notice the following:

Pope Francis entrusts China to the Blessed Virgin Mary

May 24, 2020

Pope Francis Sunday entrusted China to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and asked people to pray for a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the most populated country in the world.

“Dear Catholic brothers and sisters in China, I wish to assure you that the universal Church, of which you are an integral part, shares your hopes and supports you in trials,” Pope Francis said May 24 after the Regina Caeli prayer.

“It accompanies you with prayer for a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit, so that the light and beauty of the Gospel, the power of God for the salvation of whoever believes, can shine in you,” the pope said.

Pope Francis imparted a special Apostolic Blessing upon China for the feast of Our Lady Help of Christians. …

China is home to more than 10 million Catholics, with six million registered as members of the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, according to official statistics.

The Holy See and the Chinese government signed a provisional agreement in 2018 on the appointment of bishops in the state-sponsored Church, the terms of which have still not been publicly released. In the wake of the deal, previously excommunicated bishops of the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, which is overseen by the Communist Party, were received into full communion with the Vatican.

A report published in 2020 by the U.S. China Commission found that Chinese Catholics suffered “increasing persecution” after the Vatican-China deal. It said the government was “demolishing churches, removing crosses, and continuing to detain underground clergy.” Priests and bishops have reportedly been detained or have gone into hiding. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-entrusts-china-to-the-blessed-virgin-mary-17347

Many have been concerned that the 2018 deal between the Vatican and the People’s Republic of China was a betrayal of Roman Catholics that had been dedicated to Rome (see Vatican announces deal with China on bishop appointments and Cardinal Parolin: Vatican-China deal must be implemented).

By dedicating China to ‘Mary,’ that is another step Pope Francis is making to push his ecumenical and interfaith agenda.

Now, it is not just Francis who has had interest in China.

The Catholics of Rome have long had prophecies that those all over the world, and specifically those in Asia and China will become a revised form of “Catholic” as the coming European empire will be strong and prosperous:

Bl. Anna-Maria Taigi (19th century). Whole nations will come back to the Church and the face of the earth will be renewed. … China will come into the Church. (Dupont Yves. Catholic Prophecy: The Coming Chastisement. TAN Books, Rockford (IL), 1973, p.45)

St. Bridget (14th century): Before Antichrist comes, the portals of Faith will be opened to great numbers of pagans (Birch, DA. Trial, Tribulation & Triumph: Before During and After Antichrist. Queenship Publishing Company, Goleta (CA), 1996, p. 449)

Venerable Magdalene Porzat (died 1850) (Great Monarch)…shall…restore to their dominions the legitimate kings. A just and pious man born in Galacia shall be the Supreme Pontiff: then the whole world will be united and prosperous. One faith only and one emperor shall reign over the whole earth (Connor, p. 38).

Cardinal La Roque (c. 18th century): A regeneration of Faith will appear in Asia (Culleton, R. Gerald.  The Prophets and Our Times. Nihil Obstat: L. Arvin.  Imprimatur: Philip G. Scher, Bishop of Monterey-Fresno, November 15, 1941.  Reprint 1974, TAN Books, Rockford (IL), p. 193)

Elizabeth Canori-Mora (died 1825):…Such is the glorious triumph reserved for the Catholic Church; she shall be praised, honored and esteemed by all men. All men shall become Catholics, and shall acknowledge the Pope as Vicar of Jesus Christ.” (Connor, Edward. Prophecy for Today. Imprimatur + A.J. Willinger, Bishop of Monterey-Fresno; Reprint: Tan Books and Publishers, Rockford (IL), 1984, p.24)

Bl. Anna-Maria Taigi (19th century). After the three days of darkness, St. Peter and St. Paul, having come down from Heaven, will preach in the whole world and designate a new Pope. A great light will flash from their bodies and will settle upon the cardinal who is to become Pope. Christianity, then, will spread throughout the world. He is the Holy Pontiff, chosen by God to withstand the storm. At the end, he will have the gift of miracles, and his name shall be praised over the whole earth. (Dupont, p.45)

Mother Alphonse Eppinger (1867): “After God has purified the world faith and peace will return. Whole nations will adhere to the teachings of the Catholic Church.” (Connor, p.25)

Pope Leo XIII (1893): The Orient, courageously and successfully explored by the Portuguese, is coveted by many today for its lucrative trade. We, however, have a more noble purpose in mind…To take care, therefore, of the preservation and propagation of the Catholic religion (Leo XIII. AD EXTREMAS ON SEMINARIES FOR NATIVE CLERGY. Encyclical of Pope Leo XIII promulgated on June 24, 1893. http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/leo_xiii/encyclicals/documents/hf_l-xiii_enc_24061893_ad-extremas_en.html viewed 07/19/09).

But this acceptance of the “Catholic” leaders will not last. Perhaps I should mention that even many Catholic writers have warned that one that they call an “antipope” will lead a changed church calling itself “Catholic” that will be an ecumenical world religion that many all over the world will follow, but should not follow (see also Catholic Prophecies: Do They Mirror, Highlight, or Contradict Biblical Prophecies?).

What about Marian ties?

Here is something about that from my book Fatima Shock! What the Vatican Does Not Want You to Know About Fatima, Dogmas of Mary, and Future Apparitions:

The Taoists revere the goddess, Tian Hou, who is called the “Queen of Heaven”(she is also known as the “Mother goddess”).

Here are a few comments on Mary and certain Buddhist faiths from Ella Rozett, who wrote that she “attends Catholic church almost every day”:

Mother Mary is largely unknown in the Buddhist world, the only exception perhaps being Maria Kannon. The latter is a hybrid of Mother Mary and the Bodhisattva of love and compassion whom the Japanese call Kannon, the Chinese Kuan Yin, the Tibetans Chenresig and the Indians Avalokiteshvara…

Much like the Virgin Mary, the Chinese Kuan Yin is said to have lived a human life of extreme self-sacrifice and holiness before she ascended into heaven and became a celestial Goddess of Mercy and Compassion. Since her ascension she has been appearing as “a woman in white” to those in need of help…

Furthermore in Asia, “Many see no contradiction in praying to Guan Yin…one day… and on another, praying to the Virgin Mary at the Novena Roman Catholic Church.”

Thus it appears that despite not quite having the Catholic devotion to Mary or Islamic veneration to Fatima, those in various Eastern faiths can be intrigued by the feminine, and may be highly impacted by public alleged Marian apparition(s) in the future. But, no Buddhist, Taoist, Muslim, Hindu, Protestant, Mormon, Catholic, or anyone else should. (Thiel B. Fatima Shock! What the Vatican Does Not Want You to Know About Fatima, Dogmas of Mary, and Future Apparitions. Nazarene Books, 2017, pp.189-190)

Pope Francis is using and promoting his version of Mary for his long term plans to bring China into the Roman Catholic fold.

Entrusting China to Mary is another step in that direction.

Yes, an interfaith alliance will come and China, for a time, will be part of it.

Assumption of Mary?

Pope Francis promoted the 'assumption of Mary,' and made comments inconsistent with early Catholic views on Revelation 12:

August 15, 2014

In union with the whole Church, we celebrate the Assumption of Our Lady, body and soul, into the glory of heaven.  Mary’s Assumption shows us our own destiny as God’s adoptive children and members of the body of Christ. ...

The “great sign” presented in today’s first reading – a woman clothed in the sun and crowned by stars (cf. Rev 12:1) – invites us to contemplate Mary enthroned in glory beside her divine Son. ...

Today, in venerating Mary, Queen of Heaven, we also turn to her as Mother of the Church... In celebrating this feast, we join the Church throughout the world in looking to Mary as our Mother of Hope. ...

Let us turn to Our Lady and implore the grace to rejoice in the freedom of the children of God, to use that freedom wisely in the service of our brothers and sisters, and to live and work as signs of the hope which will find its fulfillment in that eternal Kingdom where to reign is to serve.  Amen.

[Vatican translation] (Pope's Homily at Mass for Feast of Assumption in South Korea. Zenit.org, August 15, 2014. http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/pope-s-homily-at-mass-for-feast-of-assumption-in-south-korea)

Early Catholic writings did NOT interpret Revelation 12:1 to be a reference to Mary. Notice one example from a Catholic priest:

The woman of chapter 12 is not the Blessed Virgin Mary. The ancient interpreters beginning with Hippolytus and Methodius understood this was a figure of the Church. (Kramer HB. The Book of Destiny.  Nihil Obstat: J.S. Considine, O.P., Censor Deputatus.  Imprimatur: +Joseph M. Mueller, Bishop of Sioux City, Iowa, January 26, 1956.  Reprint TAN Books, Rockford (IL), p. 276)

It should also be noted that early Catholics did not observe the 'assumption of Mary'. On August 15, the pagans used to honor the time when the goddess Diana supposedly went to heaven. For some details, see Assumption of Diana now called Assumption of Mary?

Pope Francis, Mary, and Islam

Notice a message that Pope Francis sent to the Muslims:

To Muslims throughout the World

It gives me great pleasure to greet you as you celebrate Id al-Fitr, so concluding the month of Ramadan, dedicated mainly to fasting, prayer and almsgiving.

It is a tradition by now that, on this occasion, the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue sends you a message of good wishes, together with a proposed theme for common reflection. This year, the first of my Pontificate, I have decided to sign this traditional message myself and to send it to you, dear friends, as an expression of esteem and friendship for all Muslims, especially those who are religious leaders.

As you all know, when the Cardinals elected me as Bishop of Rome and Universal Pastor of the Catholic Church, I chose the name of “Francis”, a very famous saint who loved God and every human being deeply, to the point of being called “universal brother”. He loved, helped and served the needy, the sick and the poor; he also cared greatly for creation.

I am aware that family and social dimensions enjoy a particular prominence for Muslims during this period, and it is worth noting that there are certain parallels in each of these areas with Christian faith and practice.

This year, the theme on which I would like to reflect with you and with all who will read this message is one that concerns both Muslims and Christians: Promoting Mutual Respect through Education.

This year’s theme is intended to underline the importance of education in the way we understand each other, built upon the foundation of mutual respect. “Respect” means an attitude of kindness towards people for whom we have consideration and esteem. “Mutual” means that this is not a one-way process, but something shared by both sides.

What we are called to respect in each person is first of all his life, his physical integrity, his dignity and the rights deriving from that dignity, his reputation, his property, his ethnic and cultural identity, his ideas and his political choices. We are therefore called to think, speak and write respectfully of the other, not only in his presence, but always and everywhere, avoiding unfair criticism or defamation. Families, schools, religious teaching and all forms of media have a role to play in achieving this goal.

Turning to mutual respect in interreligious relations, especially between Christians and Muslims, we are called to respect the religion of the other, its teachings, its symbols, its values. Particular respect is due to religious leaders and to places of worship. How painful are attacks on one or other of these!

It is clear that, when we show respect for the religion of our neighbours or when we offer them our good wishes on the occasion of a religious celebration, we simply seek to share their joy, without making reference to the content of their religious convictions.

Regarding the education of Muslim and Christian youth, we have to bring up our young people to think and speak respectfully of other religions and their followers, and to avoid ridiculing or denigrating their convictions and practices.

We all know that mutual respect is fundamental in any human relationship, especially among people who profess religious belief. In this way, sincere and lasting friendship can grow.

When I received the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See on 22 March 2013, I said: “It is not possible to establish true links with God, while ignoring other people. Hence it is important to intensify dialogue among the various religions, and I am thinking particularly of dialogue with Islam. At the Mass marking the beginning of my ministry, I greatly appreciated the presence of so many civil and religious leaders from the Islamic world.” With these words, I wished to emphasize once more the great importance of dialogue and cooperation among believers, in particular Christians and Muslims, and the need for it to be enhanced.

With these sentiments, I reiterate my hope that all Christians and Muslims may be true promoters of mutual respect and friendship, in particular through education.

Finally, I send you my prayerful good wishes, that your lives may glorify the Almighty and give joy to those around you.
Happy Feast to you all!

From the Vatican, 10 July 2013 (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/02/pope-francis-id-ramadan-greetings_n_3695752.html?ir=Religion)

This Pope is reaching out to the Muslims as part of his ecumenical outreach.  All need to realize that the end result of ecumenism will be disastrous for Muslims (Daniel 11:40-43) and Catholics (Daniel 11:44, Revelation 18) alike.

Notice also:

Apparitions of Mary have been appearing across the Muslim world in recent years. Mary has been one of the strongest symbols across the Middle East for unity among religions, tribes and nations. in December 2009, a light appeared over a Coptic Church in Giza, Egypt's third largest city. Over the following days, 200,000 people, Christian and Muslim, shared the observation and took it as a sign of difficult times to come...

Mike's comment: We know from God's prophetic word that Satan will use lying signs and wonders to deceive the world (2 Thes. 2:9). This universal deception will be used by the false prophet to unite the world in its worship of Antichrist (Rev. 13:11-15). It is fascinating to see the world's two largest religions, Roman Catholicism and Islam, esteem Mary as the most revered woman who has ever lived. Could an apparition one day call for unity between Catholics and Muslims? (Muslims Seeking Apparitions of Mary. Proclaiming the Gospel, e-zine, August 2013)

This is a concern and seems consistent with end time prophecies. Notice how Pope Francis specifically appealed to Mary to unite, prior to giving his 'Angelus prayer':

And we entrust this, our prayer, to the maternal intercession of the Virgin Mary, Mother of Christ and Mother of the Church so that She, like a good Mother, may unite us. (Angelus Address: On the Thirst for Unity. January 25, 2015 http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/angelus-address-on-the-thirst-for-unity)

The 'Angelus prayer' starts out with the words, "Hail Mary" and the pontiff's goal is a Babylonian unity. The Bible warns against that (Zechariah 2:6-9) and shows that true unity does not come through 'Mary' but happens AFTER the return of Jesus Christ (Zechariah 2:10-11; see also Why Should American Catholics Fear Unity with the Orthodox?).

Even among the Eastern Orthodox there is a concern that apparitions falsely claiming to be Mary will deceive Catholics, Orthodox, and even Muslims to accept a false unity that the powers of Antichrist will support. Notice:

Peter Jackson (20th century): To which Mary are Muslims and Protestants being drawn?… Rome began to see her more and more as a “goddess,” a fourth Hypostasis of the Trinity…Today, as heterodox Christians become more and more ecumenist and work toward creating a “One World Church,” the search has begun for a Mary of universal recognition, one who will appeal not only to those who bear the name Christian, but apparently to Muslims and others as well, just as attempts are likewise being made to identify the “new Christ” with the Muslim concept of their coming Mahdi and with the Messiah still awaited by the Jews. This, of course, will be no Christ at all but the antichrist (Jackson P. ORTHODOX LIFE., No. I, 1997., Brotherhood of Saint Job of Pochaev at Holy Trinity Monastery, Jordanville, N.Y. pp. 18-22. http://fr-d-serfes.org/orthodox/theotokos.htm viewed 05/04/09).

This Marian pontiff Francis likely hopes that his version of ‘Mary’ will draw in the Muslims.  And, presuming there are public apparitions, for a short time, this may seem to work (cf. Revelation 13:4,8).

Catholic Prophecy Foretells a Marian Time

Catholic prophecies suggest that Marian apparitions and Marian involvement will be important in the last days.

Catholics refer to Mary as “the patroness of Rome.” And the primary 'patroness' is supposed to be the image at the Basilica of Mary Major. 

Notice the following related to Catholic saint and priest John 'Don' Bosco:

On May 30, 1862, after night prayers, Don Bosco related the following dream:

“There is a fleet of ships in battle array. They are armed with cannon, rifles, inflammable materials, and even books. They advance against another ship much larger then themselves and try to attack it in every possible way. (Russell L. Mary Help of Christians: Why Turn to Mary in Our Need? Lay Witness Magazine, May 1999. http://www.cuf.org/1999/05/mary-help-of-christians-why-turn-to-mary-in-our-need/ viewed 08/16/14)

Don Bosco: It seems to me that the Pope's ship might mean the Church, of which he is the head...The two columns of salvation seem to be devotion to Mary Most Holy and to the Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist...The enemy ships are persecutions. The most serious trials for the Church are near at hand...Her enemies are represented by the ships that tried to sink the principal ship if they could. Only two means are left to save her amidst so much confusion: DEVOTION TO MARY MOST HOLY and FREQUENT COMMUNION (Forty Dreams of St. John Bosco: The Apostle of Youth. Compiled and edited by J. Bacchiarello. Nihil Obstat: E. Gutierrez, S.D.B., August 21, 1969. Imprimatur + Stephen Ferrando, S.D.B., D.D., Bishop of Shillong, India, September 21, 1969. Reprint 1996, TAN Books, Rockford (IL), 1996, p. 210-211).

Don Bosco: The new Pope, putting the enemy to rout and overcoming every obstacle, guides the ship right up to the two columns and comes to rest between them; he makes it fast with a light chain that hangs from the bow to an anchor of the column on which stands the Host; and with another light chain which hangs from the stern, he fastens it at the opposite end to another anchor hanging from the column on which stands the Immaculate Virgin. (Forty Dreams of St. John Bosco: The Apostle of Youth.)

Could Pope Francis be the new pope anchored to Mary?

Perhaps I should mention that numerous Catholic prophecies tell of a time when various ones will convert to the faith of the Church of Rome.  Presumable, Pope Francis is aware of them.  Here are two:

Blessed Anna Maria Taigi (died 1837): “described to me the great ordeal ahead. Rome would be battered by revolutions…Millions of men would die by the sword in war and civil strife, other millions would perish in unforeseen death. Then entire nations would return to the unity of the Church, and many Turks, Pagans and Jews would be converted and their fervour cover with confusion the original Christians. In one word she told me that our Lord was intending to cleanse the world and His Church…” (Bessieres A. Wife, Mother and Mystic (Blessed Anna Maria Taigi). Nihil Obstat: Carlos Davis, S.T.L. Imprimatur: E Morrough Bernard, Westmonasteri, die Februari, 1952. Reprint TAN Books, Rockford (IL), 1982, p. 166).

Magdalene Porsat (19th century): A grand event shall have to take place in order to terrify the wicked to their advantage. After this, Mary, all-powerful, shall change all men into good wheat. All shall be good. The Pharisees (the hypocrites) will be the last (to be converted); the great brigands (great sinners) will arrive beforehand. The Jews who have refused to receive Jesus Christ in his humiliation will acknowledge him at the glorious arrival of Mary...The Church prepares everything for the glorious arrival of Mary…The hour is not far distant. It is Mary in person! (Rossi,  G. THE CHRISTIAN TRUMPET, OR, Previsions and Predictions about Impending General Calamities, The Universal Triumph of the Church, The Coming of Antichrist, The Last Judgment, and The End of the World. Compiled by PELLEGRINO [Gaudentius Rossi], A Missionary Priest with Superior’s permission. Boston, THOS. B. NOONAND & CO., 1873, pp. 196-197)

Some believe that Pope Francis has an ecumenical agenda:

Is Pope Francis Laying The Groundwork For A One World Religion?

April 14, 2013

Does Pope Francis intend to help the global elite achieve their goal of uniting all of the religions of the world under a single banner? Will he be instrumental in establishing a single global religion for the glorious “new age” that the global elite believe is coming? After he was elected, the cover of Time Magazine declared Pope Francis to be the “New World Pope“, and since his election Pope Francis has made it abundantly clear that he is going to make ecumenical outreach a top priority. He has spoken of his “determination to continue on the path of ecumenical dialogue“, and he has already held a number of very high profile ecumenical meetings. Not only has he worked hard to reach out to leaders from various Christian traditions, he has also made it a point to try to acknowledge the mutual bonds that he feels with all other religions. For example, in one recent address he made it a point to say that he believes that Muslims worship and pray to the “one God” that he also worships…

If there is going to be a one world religion, there will have to be a bond formed between Roman Catholicism and Islam…That is one reason why what Pope Francis has already had to say about Islam is so noteworthy. The following comes from remarks that he made during his very first ecumenical meeting…

I then greet and cordially thank you all, dear friends belonging to other religious traditions; first of all the Muslims, who worship the one God, living and merciful, and call upon Him in prayer, and all of you. I really appreciate your presence: in it I see a tangible sign of the will to grow in mutual esteem and cooperation for the common good of humanity…

But of course Pope Francis is not just reaching out to the Islamic world.

He has also been working hard to “intensify dialogue” with other Christian traditions.

In particular, he seems quite interested in improving relations with the Orthodox churches of the east…

For now, Pope Francis just seems to be laying the groundwork for the one world religion that is coming. There is a 900-year-old prophecy that indicates that Pope Francis could be the last Pope. If that prophecy is true, then it will be very important to watch the actions of this Pope very carefully.http://marketdailynews.com/2013/04/14/is-pope-francis-laying-the-groundwork-for-a-one-world-religion/

If Pope Francis is truly the last pope, and that is not clear yet, he will ultimately allow the Church of Rome to be betrayed and will work to bring in the Muslims, Asias, and Jews.

The focus of several private Catholic prophecies is that a version of 'Mary' is what is needed and will help the world. Pope Francis is encouraging people to turn to a false version Mary. This is dangerous.

Mary Still a Focus in 2018

Pope Francis continues to push and promote his version of ‘Mary’:

January 28, 2018

At Mass in the Basilica of St. Mary Major Sunday, Pope Francis said that when we go through difficult times or have problems or worries, Mary is our shield, guarding our faith and protecting us from evil.

“Where the Madonna is at home the devil does not enter; where there is the Mother disturbance does not prevail, fear does not win,” the Pope said Jan. 28.

“Who of us does not need this, who of us is not sometimes upset or restless? How often the heart is a stormy sea, where the waves of problems overlap, and the winds of worry do not cease to blow! Mary is the sure ark in the midst of the flood.”

Pope Francis celebrated a special Mass at the Basilica of St. Mary Major for the Feast of the transfer of the icon of Salus Populi Romani.

Salus Populi Romani (Protectress of the Roman People) is the title of an ancient Byzantine icon of Mary and the Child Jesus, traditionally held to be painted by St. Luke the Evangelist and to have arrived in Rome in the 6th century.

It was first canonically crowned in 1838 by Pope Gregory XVI and a second time in 1954 by Pope Pius XII. It has a long history of devotion by the Roman people, as well as by popes. It resides in the Pauline, also called Borghese, Chapel in St. Mary Major.

Francis has a special devotion to the image. His first visit as pontiff was to the Basilica of St. Mary Major to pray before the image following his election. …

In his homily, Pope Francis said that it is “a great danger to faith, to live without a mother, without protection, letting ourselves be carried away by life like leaves by the wind.”

Just like persecuted people once took refuge under the cloak of the noble, high-ranking women of their village, in “turbulent moments” we must take shelter under the mantle of Mary, “the highest woman of mankind,” for our own protection.

“Her coat is always open to welcome us and gather us,” he said. “The Mother guards faith, protects relationships, saves in bad weather and preserves from evil.” …

“Let’s make the Mother the guest of our daily life, the constant presence in our home, our safe haven,” he concluded. “Let’s entrust (ourselves) to her every day. Let’s invoke her in every turbulence. And let’s not forget to come back to her to thank her.” 01/28/18 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-where-mary-is-the-devil-does-not-enter-40315

In times of trouble, Christians come to Mary for refuge, Pope Francis stressed in his homily on January 28, 2018, in the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome. He came to celebrate Mass on the occasion of the Feast of the Translation of the Icon of the Salus Populi Romani.

“We are looking for refuge,” said the Holy Father. “Our Fathers in the faith have taught that in turbulent moments, we must gather under the mantle of the Holy Mother of God.” 01/28/18 https://zenit.org/articles/pope-at-st-mary-major-we-are-looking-for-refuge/

The reason I put ‘Mary’ in quotes is that Pope Francis’ Mary is not the Mary of the Bible.

He continues to tell people to turn to Mary for matters that the Bible says to turn to God.

Need proof?

Not one time in the Bible does it say that Mary is our refuge.

The Bible teaches that God is our refuge:

27 The God of old is your refuge,(Deuteronomy 33:27, New Jerusalem Bible)

3 my deliverer is my God. I take refuge in him, my rock, my shield, my saving strength, my stronghold, my place of refuge. My Saviour, you have saved me from violence; (2 Samuel 22:3, New Jerusalem Bible)

6 you may mock the plans of the poor, but Yahweh is their refuge. (Psalm 14:6, New Jerusalem Bible)

8 Yahweh is the strength of his people, a safe refuge for his anointed. (Psalm 28:8, New Jerusalem Bible)

1 [For the choirmaster Of the sons of Korah For oboe Song] God is both refuge and strength for us, a help always ready in trouble; (Psalm 46:1, New Jerusalem Bible)

7 In God is my safety and my glory, the rock of my strength. In God is my refuge; 8 trust in him, you people, at all times. Pour out your hearts to him, God is a refuge for us. (Psalm 62:7-8, New Jerusalem Bible)

1 In you, Yahweh, I take refuge, I shall never be put to shame. … 7 Many were bewildered at me, but you are my sure refuge. (Psalm 71:1,7, New Jerusalem Bible)

2 saying to Yahweh, ‘My refuge, my fortress, my God in whom I trust!’ (Psalm 91:2, New Jerusalem Bible)

5 I cry out to you, Yahweh, I affirm, ‘You are my refuge, my share in the land of the living!’ (Psalm 142:5, New Jerusalem Bible)

The New Jerusalem Bible is a Roman Catholic translation of the Bible into the English language. And it repeatedly teaches that God is our refuge. It never once refers to Mary, the mother of Jesus, as our refuge.

Furthermore, notice that God warns those who take refuge in lies and falsehoods:

14 Hence listen to Yahweh’s word, you insolent men, rulers of this people in Jerusalem.

15 Because you have said, ‘We have made a treaty with Death and have struck a pact with Sheol. When the scourging flood comes over, it will not touch us, for we have made lies our refuge and hidden under falsehood.’

It is a lie and falsehood to believe Christians are to take refuge in Mary.

Pope Francis asserted that Satan does not enter the homes of those who have the Madonna.  Yet, there is no scripture that supports that.

Notice what two other Roman Catholic translation of the Bible teach:

7 So submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7, New American Bible)

7 Be subject therefore to God, but resist the devil, and he will fly from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners: and purify your hearts, ye double minded. (James 4:7-8, Douay Rheims)

Again, we see that God is the source of our protection, not Mary.

Consider also the following:

5 Trust wholeheartedly in Yahweh, put no faith in your own perception;

6 acknowledge him in every course you take, and he will see that your paths are smooth. (Proverbs 3:5-6, New Jerusalem Bible)

Contrary to what Pope Francis asserted, the Bible says to trust in God. There are dozens of scriptures to support that. Yet, the Bible NEVER once says to trust in Mary.

As far as bad weather goes, the Bible shows that Jesus protected the disciples during bad weather (e.g. Mark 4:36-41) and that God controls the weather (Psalm 148:8; see also Weather Blessings and Sorrows). The Bible never teaches that Mary controls the weather, figuratively or literally.

As far as the Basilica of Mary Major goes, Pope Francis has often gone their and prayed before the icon that is supposed to represent Mary. He has made that a regular part of his travel practice as he often does that before and after major trips.

Pope Francis thinks that ‘Mary,’ not the true Kingdom of God, is the answer. But he is in error and is spreading error.

Bible Prophecy

The Lady of Kingdoms

The Bible warns of a “virgin” that uses enchantments  who is also called the Lady of Kingdoms:

1 Come down, sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, sit on the ground: there is no throne for the daughter of the Chaldeans, for thou shalt no more be called delicate and tender…4 Our redeemer, the Lord of hosts is his name, the Holy One of Israel. 5 Sit thou silent, and get thee into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called the lady of kingdoms. 6  I was angry with my people, I have polluted my inheritance, and have given them into thy bend: thou hast shown no mercy to them: upon the ancient thou hast laid thy yoke exceeding heavy.

7 And thou hast said: I shall be a lady forever: thou hast not laid these things to thy heart, neither hast thou remembered thy latter end.

8 And now hear these things, thou that art delicate, and dwellest confidently, that sayest in thy heart: I am, and there is none else besides me: I shall not sit as a widow, and I shall not know barrenness.

9 These two things shall come upon thee suddenly in one day, barrenness and widowhood. All things are come upon thee, because of the multitude of thy sorceries, and for the great hardness of thy enchanters. 10 And thou best trusted in thy wickedness, and hast said: There is none that seeth me. Thy wisdom, and thy knowledge, this hath deceived thee. And thou best said in thy heart: I am, and besides me there is no other.  11 Evil shall come upon thee, and then shalt not know the rising thereof: and calamity shall fall violently upon thee, which thou canst not keep off: misery shall come upon thee suddenly, which thou shalt not know. 12 Stand now with thy enchanters, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, in which thou hast laboured from thy youth, if so be it may profit thee any thing, or if thou mayst become stronger. 13 Thou hast failed in the multitude or  thy counsels: let now the astrologers stand and save thee, they that gazed at the stars, and counted the months, that from them they might tell the things that shall come to thee. (Isaiah 47:1, 4-7, 11-13, DRB)…

The Bible also seems to connect the Lady’s haughty comments in verses 7 & 8 with those of the harlot of Revelation 17:1, 18; 18:7-8, 11 and the city in Zephaniah 2:15.

Some may be surprised to see this, but this immoral “Lady” also seems to have the title of “queen” and “harlot”:

7 You thought, ‘I shall be a queen forever.’ 8…’I am the only one who matters. I shall never be widowed, never know bereavement.’ 9 Yet both these things will befall you, suddenly, in one day. Bereavement and widowhood will suddenly befall you… (Isaiah 47:7, 8b, 9 NJB)

4 Because of the multitude of harlotries of the seductive harlot, The mistress of sorceries, Who sells nations through her harlotries, And families through her sorceries. (Nahum 3:4, NKJV)

5 Look, I am against you!- declares Yahweh Sabaoth- I shall lift your skirts as high as your face and show your nakedness to the nations, your shame to the kingdoms. (Nahum 3:5, NJB)

3 All the nations have drunk deep of the wine of her prostitution; every king on the earth has prostituted himself with her, and every merchant grown rich through her debauchery. (Revelation 18:3, NJB)

 17:1…Come, I will shew thee the condemnation of the great harlot, who sitteth upon many waters…18:7 As much as she hath glorified herself, and lived in delicacies, so much torment and sorrow give ye to her; because she saith in her heart: I sit a queen, and am no widow; and sorrow I shall not see.8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine,and she shall be burnt with the fire; because God is strong, who shall judge her. (Revelation 17:1b,18:7-8, DRB)

So, what will happen to the queen/Lady of the Kingdoms as well as to Babylon is warned against in Revelation. (Thiel B.  Fatima Shock!  Nazarene Books. 2012, pp. 152-155)

I believe that Pope Francis is intending to get the “Lady of the Kingdom” accepted by the nations of the world.

Pope Francis Is Encourging The Fatima Center

The #105 edition of the Fatima Crusader put out by The Fatima Center has the following from its leader Priest Nicholas Gruner (bolding in source):

I was encouraged that in the former Archdiocese of our new Pope there exists a sanctuary and two parishes dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima. Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary is especially practised on the first Saturday of every month. So the words and requests of Our Lady of Fatima would not be foreign to him.

The other thing I had in my background was a prophecy from Antonio Ruffini, who has a prophetic gift. He told me in January, 1990 that this Pope – he didn’t name him – but he just said “the successor of the successor of John Paul II would be the one to do the consecration.” If Ruffini is not mistaken, then it’s a good sign. We may finally have a Pope who is going to do the consecration of Russia. Prudently though, we have to wait and see whether or not Ruffini completely understood whatever message he got on that.

It is only through the name of Jesus that people can be saved, not Mary. Notice what the Apostle Peter taught:

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, addressed them, 'Rulers of the people, and elders! 9 If you are questioning us today about an act of kindness to a cripple and asking us how he was healed, 10 you must know, all of you, and the whole people of Israel, that it is by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, and God raised from the dead, by this name and by no other that this man stands before you cured. 11 This is the stone which you, the builders, rejected but which has become the cornerstone. Only in him is there salvation; 12 for of all the names in the world given to men, this is the only one by which we can be saved.' (Acts 4:8-12, NJB)

While it is true that the Pope often mentions Jesus, the reality is that the more Pope Francis emphasizes Mary, the less people will understand about Jesus.

Furthermore, Pope Francis has called for the Fatima chapel statue (which DOES NOT resemble what the three shepherd children described that they saw in Fatima in 1917) to be brought to Rome for a ceremony scheduled on October 13, 2013. He intends to dedicate the world to the "immaculate heart of Mary" and "Lady of Fatima" then. Is it possible, that this pontiff who has made at least three trips to the Church of Mary Major will be involved in fulfilling the following?

A.C. Emmerich (August 25, 1820): I do not know in what manner I was taken to Rome last night, but I found myself near the Church of St. Mary Major, and I saw who were greatly distressed and worried because the Pope was to be seen nowhere...Then I saw an apparition of the Mother of God, and she said that the tribulation would be very great. She added that these people needed to pray fervently...she said that if only one priest could offer the bloodless sacrifice worthily and with the same dispositions as the Apostles, he could avert all the disasters (that are to come). To my knowledge the people in the church did not see the apparition (Connor, pp. 64-65).

The Pope's consecration could be consistent with that bloodless sacrifice, as the Pope is also considered to be a priest. Certain "Fatimists" believe that if Pope Francis specifies Russia as the object of consecration that this will essentially bring about circumstances that will lead to world peace and prosperity. If Pope Francis does that watch out as that is not truly what the Bible teaches (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:3)!

Even Catholic Prophets Warned of an Ecumenical Antipope

Various Catholic writers and mystics have warned about a coming antipope. Here are some quotes that are in my book The Last Pope Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis?:

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 15th century, for numerous reasons these could be interpreted to mean that a 21st 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 (19th century): Rome will lose faith and become the seat of Antichrist…

Jeanne le Royer (died 1798): I see that when the Second Coming of Christ approaches a bad priest will do much harm to the Church...

St. Gregory the Great, Pope (d. 604): In those days, near the end…an army of priests and two-thirds of the Christians will join the Schism...

Yves Dupont {reader and collector of Catholic prophecies}: "prophecies are quite explicit about the election of an anti-pope...Many prophecies predict an anti-pope and a schism"...

Catholic priest and writer R. Gerald Culleton (20th century): A schism of short duration is destined to break out…An antipope...is to be set up, and finally Rome itself will be destroyed...

Frederick William Faber (died 1863): Antichrist...Many believe in a demonical incarnation--this will not be so--but he will be utterly possessed...His doctrine as apparent contradiction of no religion, yet a new religion...

Catholic writer and priest P. Huchedé (19th century): …the false prophet…will not be a king, nor a general of an army, but a clever apostate, fallen from episcopal dignity.  From being an apostle of the Gospel he will become the first preacher of the false messiah...

Catholic writers Ted and Maureen Flynn (1993): Catholic prophecy warns us of severe problems threatening the papacy in these end times...An Antipope will seize papal authority...It will be those who hold fast to the truths of the faith who will be labelled as the perpetuators of this horrible schism, according to some visionaries...

Priest Paul Kramer reported: In 1999…Malachi Martin stated…that Our Lady’s words were very dry and specific and they foretold of a future “pope” (not the true Pope, but a heretical antipope) who would be completely under the control of the devil...

Priest Paul Kramer (21st 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 (21st 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…

Catholic author and collector of prophecies D. Birch (20th century): Many, many, of the prophecies refer to an Antipope for sometime in the future during which great calamities occur to the Church...

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 (20th 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?

His ecumenical tendencies and Marian focus are consistent with that possibility.

Of course, Pope Francis has taken other steps that Catholics worry about. Notice the following:

Pope Francis is now effectively at war with the Vatican. If he wins, the Catholic Church could fall apart

18 October 2015

Pope Francis yesterday gave an address to the profoundly divided Synod on the Family in which he confirmed his plans to decentralise the Catholic Church – giving local bishops’ conferences more freedom to work out their own solutions to the problems of divorce and homosexuality.

This is the nightmare of conservative Catholic cardinals, including – unsurprisingly – those in the Vatican. They thought they had a sufficient majority in the synod to stop the lifting of the ban on divorced and remarried Catholics receiving communion, or any softening on the Church’s attitude to gay couples.

But in yesterday’s keynote speech, delivered as the synod enters its last week, Francis told them that the decentralisation will be imposed from above. ...

One statement in particular horrified the conservatives. Francis told them that ‘the sense of faith impedes the rigid separation between the Teaching Church and the Learning Church, because the flock possesses its own “sense” to discern the new roads that the Lord reveals to the church…’ ...

Pope Francis is no longer trusted by many conservative Catholics, and the number who don’t trust him has grown enormously since the synod process – which I think he has gravely mismanaged – began last October. Priests and lay Catholics who originally liked the man if not his liturgical style, and thought he was fundamentally conservative despite his impromptu ‘who am I to judge?’-style comments, now believe he threatens the unity of the church. Some liberals agree that disunity is inevitable but reckon the Holy Spirit has already factored that in: eventually, Africans will come to share their own compassionate impulses towards Catholics who have been forced by the turmoil of modern life to bypass church teaching on sexual behaviour. They’re hoping for a miracle, in other words. In the meantime, they have become the new ultramontanists. ...

Conservatives interpret Francis’s speech on Saturday as a manifesto for reversing that process – and, at a deeper level, marginalising the legacy of John Paul, which contains teachings hard to reconcile with the current pope’s agenda. So, in their eyes, Francis is taking on the greatest pope in modern history – who, now that he has been canonised, is officially recognised as a supernatural presence in the life of the church. He may even be trying to change the nature of the papacy itself – and during the lifetime of his predecessor, who must be wondering whether God really intended him to resign. http://blogs.new.spectator.co.uk/2015/10/pope-francis-is-now-effectively-at-war-with-the-vatican-if-he-wins-the-catholic-church-could-fall-apart/

Thus, there are Catholic concerns about Pope Francis.

Pope Francis's Emphasis on Mary is Dangerous

The Bible clearly warns about the dangers of a 'virgin' a 'lady,' that it also calls a harlot.

While Pope Francis is often very popular, the message he is teaching deviates severely from the Bible. The Bible also warns against following a false gospel (2 Corinthians 11:4; Galatians 1:6-7):

4 Because any chance comer has only to preach a Jesus other than the one we preached, or you have only to receive a spirit different from the one you received, or a gospel different from the one you accepted -- and you put up with that only too willingly. (2 Corinthians 11:4, NJB)

6 I am astonished that you are so promptly turning away from the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are going over to a different gospel- 7 not that it is another gospel; except that there are trouble-makers among you who are seeking to pervert the gospel of Christ.

8 But even if we ourselves or an angel from heaven preaches to you a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let God's curse be on him. 9 I repeat again what we declared before: anyone who preaches to you a gospel other than the one you were first given is to be under God's curse.(Galatians 1:6-9, NJB)

Turning to 'Mary' is to turn to a different spirit.

Pope Francis suggesting that turning to Mary is part of the true gospel is false. Even if he ends up doing 'miracles' (cf. Revelation 13:12-16), he should not be followed.

While many of the statements that Pope Francis makes have popular appeal, he is not truly representing Jesus Christ nor the word of God.

Although Francis may not be the final Antichrist/Antipope, notice the following about the false prophet and second beast of Revelation 13:

11 And I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns, like a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon. (Revelation 13:11, DRB)

Teaching a differing salvation with an emphasis on Mary are words of the dragon. Recall that when Satan the dragon appeared as a snake to Eve, she found his words not to be those of a dragon, but words that had great appeal to her (Genesis 3:1-6). Pope Francis often is doing something similar.

Both biblical and Catholic prophecy tell of a time when a 'Lady' will be prominent. The Bible clearly condemns the 'Lady' and warns people not to be part of her.

Yet, the Bible warns that most will be deceived (Matthew 24:24) and that signs and lying wonders will deceive those that do not have the love of the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10). False Marian apparitions and telling people to turn towards Mary are parts of Satan's Plan.

Pope Francis is setting the world up for this.

There is also a related YouTube video titled Pope Francis Could this Marian Focused Pontiff be Fulfilling Prophecy?

Thiel B. Pope Francis: Could this Marian Focused Pontiff be Fulfilling Prophecy? http://www.cogwriter.com/francis-marian.htm COGwriter (c) 2013/2014/2015/2016/2017/2018/2019/2020 2024 0222

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