A Black Pope

Many people have been talking about the "Prophecies of St. Malachi" and other such apocryphal mysticism that suggest that we are in the end times.  Some of these prophecies predict that a "black pope" will follow the footsteps of the "spark from the east" (interpreted as John Paul II) who followd the pope of the "half-moon" (or something to indicate the short reign of John Paul I).  The black pope will be a truly "Petrine" pope who may even take the name of Peter, which has never been done since the apostle.

Well, seeing as how I'm all for advancing useless speculation, here are three possible interpretations of the future "black pope."

First, it could actually be a pope whose skin is black, or at least dark.  Two names come quickly to mind, since they are in all of the papabile lists:  Francis Cardinal Arinze and Ivan Cardinal Dias  These are, of course the most commonly thought of names, since they are dark skinned, and particularly to Americans, this is always on their minds.

However, I would like to offer two other interpretations that I find interesting.

First, it was always said that the Jesuits would never have a pope because it would give them too much power.  The Superior General of the Jesuits was always called the "black pope" because of the black Jesuit cassock, and his complete authority over the entire Jesuit order, which at one point in history was actually something impressive.  Well, since the Superior General of the Jesuits is out, maybe it would be another Jesuit, a man in "black" who would ascend to the chair of Peter . . . how about Jorge Mario Cardinal Bergoglio, S.J.  A Jesuit from Latin America who isn't running around with a gun and the collected works of Karl Marx under his arms!  Will wonders never cease!

Finally, there is a much more likely "black pope" who could emerge.  You see, Europe is as white as it comes.  From the Fair Skinned Norwegians to the olive skinned Southern Italians, this is not really the land of the "black."  However, there are some regions in Europe whose inhabitants have been graced with the moniker "black" to describe them.  Not the least among these are the "black Germans" of Bavaria.  Well, there is a certain Cardinal who might just fit the bill . . . that's right:  Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger
 
Any of these Cardinals would make my day, and they would fulfill the apocryphal prophecies of St. Malachi (et al).  So let's hear it for the "Black Pope!"

Comments

[JACK]

I find most of these prophesies about the popes highly speculative and likely fradulent. Most think St. Malachi's are counterfeit and the precision and detail of the predictions, I'm told, drops dramatically once you get past the popes that would have been prior to the date it is said the prophesies were actually written.

I imagine his name is not mentioned because he is retired and over the age of 80, but for a long time Bernadin Cardinal Gantin ws thought to be papabile.

[Crystal]

Perhaps it is not a literal "black" pope, but rather a symbolic "black".

[Stephen]

Could be anything . . . that's why these prophecies are so goofy. Especially the St. Malachi prophecies which were probably not written by him at all.

[joaquin]

We, human beings by nature, speculate always about the future and tell me if I'm wrong, almost always comes in a different way that probably we did not, even imagined.., so I agree, could be anything and that's why they are so goofy.

[Jim]

Let's see...John Paul II was described hundred of years before his papacy as labore de solis, or the labor of the sun. He was born during a solar eclipse, worked his butt off for the church, buried by the church during a partial solar eclipse.

Then you have his predecessor, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger whose descriptor is Gloria Olivae according to the prophecies. And he takes of all the possible monikers, the name of the Father of the Benedictine Order, aka the Olivetans.

You're right fellas, this looks pretty fishy to me...too!

[prudencio]

That's correct....
I just would like the predictions to be more accurate, I mean, if for St. Malachi was possible to foresee the future with that detail and description in a few words of where the popes came from... why not include the dates I would say ??? just to be really perfect.
Just a bunch of speculations!!!

[Laurie]

Thanks for explaining why Ratzinger is the black pope. Are the black Germans of Bavaria Mennonites/Amish people?-do they use olives to die their clothes black? could you write me to explain further about these black people? I too have been following Nostradamus. The tribulation is suppose to start with this man (suffering) whatever that means? How long will this popes reign be?

[Stephen]

I would like to reiterate that I don't really hold an credence to these prophecies. I think they are so sufficiently vague that they could be interpreted in a bunch of different ways . . . it was more of a playful post originally, to "join" in the fun of the speculation about the next pope . . . but we have the pope now, and he's beautiful!

[Laurie]

NOSTRADAMUS 1503-1566 --High in the property rightward some way, Upon the square-shaped stone he'll sit and look-Beside the window at around midday-His mouth clamped shut, holding his twisted crook-The North wind shall the see oblige to quit, As red-hot ash and dust blow over the walls-Through rain therafter (much harm comes from it)- Their last hope lies towards where the frontier calls-O Roman Clergy in 1609 At the years's turn you shall election make: Companian he, who'll GREY and BLACK combine. Never worse fiend: never more grave mistake.

[Laurie]

Ratzinger was raised among the BLACK Germans of Baveria.
He has the beliefs of the Mennonite people. Mennonites only wear Black and grey. Nostradamus was trying to tell us this. So was St. Malachy (Black Olives) of Europe
I think he will be a very good pope with good intentions but somehow still a big mistake which we will understand in time.

[Stephen]

Oh geez . . .

[leslie]

to prudencio, I personally say that predictions are hardly true when it comes to dates. I did not see any preditctions that have an exact date or even a close date when it will happen. And to others that think that St. Malachy's predictions are not true then why don't you study the lives of the popes and somewhere you will always find a link between the pope and the prophecies given by St. Malachy. Example, Pope John XXIII's title is pastor et nauta or in english pastor and marine. Before he was elected pope, he is a bishop from Venice, the city whose main transportation is by boat. Try to think of that the prophecies appeared during the 15th century and foretelling a pope during the 1900's. Just try to think over this.

[Black Pope or Blak Archbishop?]

can this be concider as a phemonition of nostradamus?

[anonymous]

i think the prophecies of St.Malachi is true...I would encourage everyone to read Revelation chapter 13 all verses...you will know that these predictions are true!!!if you dont believe,i have nothing to do with that...i stick to what i believe..

[ann]

I believe the prophecies of the popes St. Malachy envisioned on his pilgrimage to Rome, back in 1100s, have been amazingly accurate to date. Apparently 1 more pope remains on the doomsday list before the tribulation period begins and all hell breaks loose in 2010s, and next black pope will undergo many trials and tribulations before the end of his short papacy reign.

[Keats]

check it out. Might be literal.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article5097668.ece

[Peter Walker]

The interpretation is wrong -- the word Pope was adopted to that person who is Leader in this case our Leader is Obama chosen by the people to be their Leader. History! Pope by name is a Lieutenant.

[Squigglylines]

Black pope has several meanings. Given time and context, Black could refer to the clothing of the person in question, as in that time if you spoke of "the black man" you meant a man dressed in black (synonymous with the devil)

further, the Jesuit order's leading office is called "The Black Pope". O.o not because he is bad, but that is just the title given his office.

Then you have to wonder if Pope is a literal pope or just a name for a figure of authority. in any case, the term is too vague to be used with any certainty.