The Prophecy of Malachy is a prophecy attributed to Saint Malachy, Archbishop of Armagh, who, according to tradition, would have had a vision about future popes during a trip to Rome in 1139.
It contains a list of cryptic mottos in Latin, each associated with a pontiff, starting from Celestine II, who was elected in 1143.
The motto attributed to him is “Ex castro Tiberis” – “From a castle on the Tiber”. In fact, Celestine II was originally from Città di Castello, a small town located along the Tiber.
The text of the Prophecy of Malachy, however, was made known only in 1595. Also for this reason, several historians believe that it is a forgery written in the 16th century to influence the papal election of the time.
Despite doubts about its authenticity, the Prophecy of Malachy continues to arouse interest, due to the coincidences between some mottos and the characteristics of subsequent popes (e.g. name, heraldic coat of arms, place of birth or significant events of the pontificate).
Examples of ancient mottos
Clement XIII (Pope from 1758 to 1769). Motto: “Rosa Umbriae” – “Rose of Umbria”. He was devoted to Saint Francis of Assisi. Moreover, he strongly defended the order of the Jesuits, closely linked to the Umbrian lands.
Pius IX (Pope from 1846 to 1878). Motto: “Crux de cruce” – “Cross from the cross”. He was pope during a period of difficulty for the Church. According to some scholars, the motto would also be a reference to the coat of arms of the House of Savoy, protagonist of Italian unification and the dissolution of the Papal States.
Leo XIII (Pope from 1878 to 1903). “Lumen coeli” – “Light of heaven”. The heraldic coat of arms of the family to which the pope belonged features a golden comet on a blue background.
John Paul I (Pope from August 26, 1978 to September 28, 1978). Motto “De medietate Lunae” – “Of the half of the moon”. His pontificate lasted barely a month, about as long as a complete lunar phase.
John Paul II
John Paul II (Pope from 1978 to 2005). Motto: “De labore Solis” - “From the labor of the Sun”.
On the day of his birth, May 18, 1920, a partial solar eclipse occurred and on the day of his funeral, April 8, 2005, there was a solar eclipse.
According to some scholars, the motto could also allude to the incessant pastoral activity of John Paul II, who traveled around the world to spread the Christian message.
Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI (Pope from 2005 to 2013). Motto: “Gloria Olivae” – “The glory of the olive”.
There is a branch of the Benedictine Order called Olivetans, founded in the 14th century, which is inspired by the spirituality of Saint Benedict and uses the olive tree as a distinctive symbol. The choice of the name
“Benedict” by Joseph Ratzinger could therefore be seen as a reference to this tradition, suggesting a symbolic link with the prophetic motto.
Pope Francis?
The last brief motto “In persecutione extrema S.R.E. sedebit.” – “He will sit during the last persecution of the Holy Roman Church.” is traditionally associated with the one hundred and twelfth Pope who, according to the order followed, should be Pope Francis.
Not everyone, however, considers it an autonomous motto. Some consider it an introduction to the next and final passage of the Prophecy of Malachy: the most mysterious of all, in which Petrus Romanus is mentioned.
Petrus Romanus
“Petrus Romanus, qui pascet oves in multis tribulationibus; quibus transactis, civitas septicollis diruetur, et Judex tremendus iudicabit populum suum. Finis.”
“Peter the Roman, who will feed the flock among many tribulations; after these have passed, the city of seven hills will be destroyed and the terrible Judge will judge his people. The End.”
Peter the Roman, the one who will come after Pope Francis, would therefore be the one hundred and thirteenth and last pope and will lead the Church in a period of tribulations. It should be noted that until now no Pope has ever chosen the name Peter II out of respect for the apostle Peter, the first Pope.
Petrus Romanus however could also not be a name, but a symbol, that of the return of the Church itself to the spirit of Peter, to those same values that should constitute its foundation.
The name “Peter” would be the rock on which the Church is founded, and the term “Roman” would indicate a reference to the apostolic see of Rome. This would suggest a spiritual renewal and a rediscovery of the fundamental values of Christianity that will completely transform the Church.
The city of seven hills
The mention of the “city of seven hills” has been traditionally interpreted as a reference to Rome. However, Rome is not the only city built on seven hills and numerous other cities in the world share this characteristic (e.g. Jerusalem, Istanbul, Lisbon, Moscow).
This circumstance would suggest that the expression “city of seven hills” may have a symbolic and universal meaning, as if to mean that the tribulation will concern all humanity.
The Judge
The reference to the “terrible Judge” is often associated with the Last Judgment with Christ in the role of supreme Judge.
Perhaps it is not a physical end, but something much deeper: a renewal, a clear break between what has been and what will be.
After all, “Apocalypse” does not mean destruction. It means “revelation”.
Finis…
