The pope after Benedict XVI

Pope Benedict XVI

Since Benedict XVI resigned, many have speculated about his possible replacement. Without going into all the possible people, perhaps the Bible and Catholic writings can give us a clue about the pope to follow Benedict XVI.

From a biblical, as well as Catholic, perspective, a terrible religious leader is to rise up a few years before Jesus returns (Revelation 13:11-16). Many have long believed that this would be shortly before 6,000 years after Adam & Eve were created or when they left the Garden of Eden have elapsed.

Here is a decades old writing related to the 6,000 years idea:

Six thousand years of human history have almost been completed… Peter said: “The Lord is not slack concerning the promise (of Christ’s coming) . . . but is longsuffering” (II Peter 3 : 9 ). God is patient. He has refrained from intervening in world affairs for nearly 6000 years. Why? Because He will not intervene until humanity is forced to cry out to Him for fear of self-extermination. Recall that the day of Christ’s intervention and rule is compared to “a thousand years” (Rev. 20:4). Peter also wrote the same thing–that a day in God’s plan is as “a thousand years” and “a thousand years” of human civilization as ONE day in His planned week of SEVEN 1000-year days (II Peter 3:8).

Peter knew that Christ would intervene shortly before the close of 6000 years of human struggle and slavery that God would send Jesus Christ to set up His government for the seventh thousand years, which will usher in a time of rest and peace-a sabbatical rest!

How marvellous that in our day, at the very time that 6000 years have almost elapsed, the world is threatened with extinction of life. And Jesus Himself said that when we see this taking place HE WOULD COME AGAIN! (THE BIBLE ANSWERS Short Questions FROM OUR READERS. Plain Truth, November 1957, pp. 12,15)

Years ago, the late evangelist John Ogwyn, based almost entirely upon biblical chronology, indicated that the creation was approximately 3983 B.C. (for details, see Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End?). That would make the 6,000 years up in or around 2018. And while John Ogwyn did not attempt to make an allowance for the co-regency of various kings, this would mean that the 6,000 years are probably over some years after his numbers show.

But they do suggest that the next pope could be the last one (especially as some, like John Paul II, were the pontiff for decades).

Now this is consistent with various Catholic writings, such as the Malachy prophecies, that suggest that the next pope will be the last pope, apparently an antipope, and preside over the destruction of Rome (Revelation 17:9,16-18) and end of this age (Revelation 19:20):

Priest Gaudentius Rossi (19^th century): According to St. Malachy, then, only ten, or at most eleven, popes remain to be in future more or less legitimately elected. We say more or less legitimately elected, because out of those future popes it is to be feared that one or two will be unlawfully elected as anti-popes. (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, p. 139)

J.J. Dietzen (1983): According to the alleged predictions, only two popes remain after the present one {John- Paul II}, ending with Petrus Romanus (Peter of Rome) who is to preside over the destruction of Rome and the end of the present age. (Dietzen JJ. The new Question box: Catholic life in the ’80s. Revised edition. Guildhall, 1983, p. 65)

Since there has not been antipope any recognized “antipopes” since Felix V’s time in 1439-1449, if Priest Rossi’s understanding is correct, it would seem then the next pope on Malachy’s list would be an anti-pope as there is only one pope left on his list.

Back in 2010/2011 I wrote that the last pope may not actually take the a name that includes the term Peter. So, no matter what name the next pope takes, he still could be the final one. But since Catholic private prophecies are not always accurate, he may not be the last one. But if the individual has a lot of ecumenical leanings, that would make him a strong candidate. Because the Bible warns that there is a particular religious leader that is involved in getting people to worship (Revelation 13:11-16) things that they should not (Revelation 14:9-11), and he is apparently successful at it (Revelation 13:4,8), I believe the Bible supports the idea that the final pope may be ecumenical. And there are many Catholic private prophecies warning of an ecumenical leader that will betray the Roman Catholic faith (some are listed in the article Catholic Prophecies: Do They Mirror, Highlight, or Contradict Biblical Prophecies?).

I do not believe that the final pope, the final Antichrist, will truly really believe the Roman Catholic faith, though he will work hard to persuade others that he does–and even if a Marian apparition or similar claims otherwise, because of biblical prophecy (cf. Revelation 17:16-18; 19:20) I believe that the final pope is likely to be an antipope, false prophet, and the final Antichrist (1 John 4:1-3). Also, because the Vatican has also floated the idea of changing certain procedures related to the election of the next pope (e.g. Pope Conclave Change?) then some may later conclude that he is or could be an antipope as his election could somehow differ from convention.

As far as Malachy’s list, here is what he wrote in Latin about the last pope on his list:

In persecutione extrema SRE sedebit. Petrus Romanus, quipascet oves in multis tribulationibus: quibus transactis civitas septicollis diruetur, et Iudex tremendus iudicabit populum suum. Finis. (Gurugé A. The Next Pope. Anura Guruge, 2010, p. 221)

Here is some of what a Catholic writer commented about that:

There are many, around the world, who, thanks to this prophecy, are totally convinced that the next pope will indeed call himself ‘Peter’–most not considering or caring what the implications of this could be.

In the considered opinion of the author, it is highly improbable that the next pope will be ‘Petrus Romanus‘ or even ‘Petrus II.’

For a start, given the Last Judgment implications, many respected Catholic sources have tried to point out, for quite a long time, that the pope talked about in motto 112 does not have to necessarily be the pope who follows the one described by motto 111; this 111th pope now being the current pope, Benedict XVI (#266). The justification for this “hedging’ is that the mottos were not numbered in de Wyon’s 1595 Lignum Vitae. The numbering, to facilitate manageability, came later. Consequently, it can be contented that the author of this prophecy, whoever it was, did not necessarily mean that the pope described in the last motto would come immediately after the one identified in the previous motto. Basically, the last, very long, atypical motto describes the last pope. This last pope may come to be at a much later time–with an indeterminate number of intervening popes between him and the one described by motto 111. Therefore, this last motto may not actually apply to the next pope, in which case, the expectation of ‘Petrus Romanus‘ becomes mute.

But what the proponents of the ‘Petrus Romanus‘ belief do not appear to appreciate is that the next pope, by the sheer necessity of the duties confronting him, is not going to be naive. Naiveté…is not a characteristic that one readily associates with today’s cardinals. They know the ways of the world and are world politic. There will be none amongst them who is not familiar with the Malachy prophecy. They all understand what the ramifications would be if the next pope surprised them all by stating that he will be called ‘Petrus Secundus.’

The protodeacon announcing ‘Petrus Secundus‘ from the balcony of St. Peter’s would be worse than shouting ‘fire’ in a crowded theater. There would be mayhem in what is likely to be another jam-packed St. Peter’s Square. People would panic. There could be a stampede, people could get hurt. The authorities in Rome and the Italian government would be forced to take immediate action to quell the understandable alarm. It would be considered, quite rightly, a security threat! For the first time in over a century there could be troops, Italian, NATO or both, surrounding the Vatican. There would be no celebrations, The Urbi et Orbi blessing, if it was to take place, would be viewed with understandable askance.

It is difficult to imagine the next pope doing anything this reckless. It is difficult to envision the cardinal electors permitting him to do anything this reckless. Hence, it is extremely unlikely that the next pope will be ‘Petrus Secundus,’ let alone ‘Petrus Romanus.’ If he is, head for the hills, and hope for the best. (Gurugé, pp. 221-223)

Now, I agree that the next pope (who could be the last pope) may not chose the name Peter II or anything similar–but that does not mean that he could not fulfill that prophecy. It needs to be clear, whether he does or not pick that name, the last pope will be a destructive antipope. Malachy’s list generally did not name pontiffs, but give descriptions. And while some have concluded that Petrus Romanus is a name, it could instead be a description. The description could signify that he is a pebble (or “rocky” which is what the term petrus signifies) supporting the final Roman empire.

However it may be of interest to note, there is at least two candidates for pontiff that already have “Peter” in their name. One is Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson. He is a long shot, but the fact that his name includes Peter is of interest.

Another is someone who I have followed for some time. And some have said that he will be the next pope:

The Final Pope will be….Cardinal Taracisio Pietro (Peter) Evasio Bertone (an Italian, fr Rome)

Cardinal Bertone was appointed by Benedict to be the current Secty of State of the Vatican. The Vatican Secty of State (Cardinal) will be the acting pontiff during the period of “sede vacante” prior to the election of a new Pope by the College of Cardinals. Also Benedict has appointed 22 cardinals during his term and now have of the Cardinal electors are European with half of those Italian….so he is stacking the deck in favor of “Peter” Bertone (of Rome). Furthermore, Bertone is at the center of a Vatican conspiracy to keep the details of The Third Secret of Fatima secret. Finally, Benedict may have planned to resign as early as 2009 when he visited the tomb of the last pope to resign hundreds of years ago (Celestine V)…and may have been a willing participant in the Malachy papal prophecy line by selecting the name Benedict even tho he was never a priest of the Benedictine Order. The next pope will also follow that line and select the name “Peter…..the Roman.”

(CosmicCitizen; a member of AboveTopSecret.com. The Final Pope will be….Cardinal Taracisio Pietro (Peter) Evasio Bertone (an Italian, fr Rome) http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread925976/pg2#pid15937109)

Because of his contradictory statements about Fatima, and, in my view, credibility issues, Cardinal Bertone is a candidate to watch. He could be the antipope/final Antichrist if he gains the title Bishop of Rome. But if not, he is an influential leader in the Vatican and very well would be expected to assist the antipope/final Antichrist. And there are others that could be antipope/final Antichrist or at least assist him. Interestingly on April 28, 2010, I reported that Cardinal Bertone suggested that the celibacy issue for priests could be changed (Vatican Willing to Consider Changing Celibacy for Priests), and that is another reason he is one to watch. The final antipope/final Antichrist will be ecumenical, or at least demonstrate ecumenical leanings. Tarcisio Pietro Evasio Bertone, was born 2 December 1934 in Romano Canavese, Piedmont, Italy. Hence in a sense he literally is “Peter the Roman.” Yet, he does not have to be the final antipope/final Antichrist, as there are reasons to consider that he will be a younger man. But he is a person of interest.

God’s 6,000 years for humanity to rule itself is almost over. And because of that, the next pope MAY be the last pope.

Articles of related interest may include:

Will Pope Benedict’s resignation lead to the prophesied Antichrist? YouTube video. Will the pope that succeeds Pope Benedict XVI fulfill biblical and non-biblical prophecies? What about Pope Benedict himself? Pope Benedict XVI resigned his pontificate effective February 28, 2013. Might his resignation lead to the fulfillment of prophecy? Might his resignation lead to the prophesied Antichrist according to biblical and Catholic prophecies? Do Catholic prophecies foretell of an antipope as the next pope? Is the Peter the Roman of the Malachy prophecies the next pope? Is there a 6,000 year plan? Is the 6,000 year almost up?
Some Doctrines of Antichrist Are there any doctrines taught outside the Churches of God which can be considered as doctrines of antichrist? This article suggests at least three. It also provides information on 666 and the identity of “the false prophet”. Plus it shows that several Catholic writers seem to warn about an ecumenical antipope that will support heresy.
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2021 or 20xx?
Catholic Prophecies: Do They Mirror, Highlight, or Contradict Biblical Prophecies? People of all faiths may be surprised to see what various Roman and Orthodox Catholic prophets have been predicting as many of their predictions will be looked to in the 21st century.
Do Certain Catholic Prophecies About Antichrist Warn Against Jesus? Will the final “Anti-Christ” be Jewish, insist on Saturday, be opposed to the trinity, and bring in the millennium? Catholic writings indicate this, but what does the Bible show?
The Antichrist Quiz Do you really know much about the Antichrist?
Was Celibacy Required for Early Bishops or Presbyters? Some religions suggest this, but what does the Bible teach? What was the practice of the early church?
Did the Early Christian Church Practice Monasticism? Does God expect or endorse living in a monastery or nunnery?
Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? There have been many false leaders–here is some of why you should be concerned about them.
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Continuing Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions.
Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Apparitions Do you know much about Mary? Are the apparitions real? What happened at Fatima? What might they mean for the rise of the ecumenical religion of Antichrist? Are Protestants moving towards Mary? How do the Orthodox view Mary? How might Mary view her adorers?
Fatima Shock! What the Vatican Does Not Want You to Know About Fatima, Dogmas of Mary, and Future Apparitions. Whether or not you believe anything happened at Fatima, if you live long enough, you will be affected by its ramifications (cf. Isaiah 47; Revelation 17). Fatima Shock! is a highly documented book by Bob Thiel for those interested in the real truth about Fatima and how future apparitions may affect the future. In addition to the print version, there is a Kindle version of Fatima Shock! which you can acquire in seconds.