Our Papal Addendum or Just Perhaps a St. Malachy Moment

Coat of Arms of Cardinal Bergoglio (Pope Francis)

Internet theorists are already trying to find that potential link between Cardinal Bergoglio, now Pope Francis, and the so-called prophecies of St. Malachy, the 12th century Archbishop of Armagh, Ireland. The alleged pontifical prognostications, that supposedly foretold the identity of each pope from 1139 through to the Apocalypse, emerged from the shadows of the Vatican’s clandestine archives nearly four-hundred years after Malachy’s demise. Interestingly enough, the conveniently discovered accounts of those visions may have been used in an attempt to influence the outcome of the second conclave of 1590. The seemingly spot-on predictions seemed to suggest that one Cardinal Girolamo Simoncelli was preordained to take the reins in Rome. As it turned out though, Simoncelli was passed over in favor of Pope Gregory XIV. And after that the papal forecasts become murky and lacking in any real details–leading many scholars to believe that the Malachy prophecies were a forgery. Of course it’s always easier to call the race after it’s been run. But here is something that I do find rather intriguing.

The previous blog posting was published a full 12 hours before the choice of the conclave was made public. After considering several photographs of the sculptures and artworks at Pacem in Terris for that particular piece, the image of St. Francis was decided upon as a last-minute change. Was it coincidence, divine inspiration–or just another excuse to partake of the holy waters at Yesterdays Restaurant and Pub?