DID YOU know?
St. Malachy, a medieval Irish priest, foretold the identities of 112 Roman Catholic popes from the reign of Celestine II until the present.
His manuscript was found in the Vatican Archives in 1590. The predictions, although indirect and figurative, characterize a certain pope either by trait, country of origin, choice of papal name, coat of arms or insignia, birthplace, or some symbols.
St. Malachy, who predicted his own death date in November 1148, named the 264th pope, John Paul II, De labore solis, which means “from the labor of the sun.” Karol Wojtyla was born on May 18, 1920 during a solar eclipse. During his funeral last April 8, another solar eclipse occurred.
In her article God is all-merciful, Jullie Yap-Daza highlighted St. Malachy’s prediction of Benedict XVI’s papacy. According to the prophecy, the pope after De labore solis would be Gloria olivae, meaning “glory of the olives.” The olive refers to the Olivetans under the Order of St. Benedict (OSB).
Although Joseph Ratzinger is not with the OSB, his choice of name may signify his desire to imitate St. Benedict’s life and works.
And if all of St. Malachy’s prophecies would come about, Pope Benedict XVI is the second to the last pope before Judgement Day. Petrus Romanus, or Peter the Roman, will be the last pope to reign before the destruction of Rome. Kris P. Bayos
