Well, THAT didn't take long

Cardinal Ratzinger will be Pope Benedict XVI (despite the breathless commentary from a CNN commentator that they had just announced “Pope Decimi Sextus”. Idiot.)

So, we’ll see how it goes. He’s 78, I guess he won’t have much time to do much harm, despite the fact that he once called homosexuality a tendency toward "intrinsic moral evil" and dismissed the uproar over priestly pedophilia in the United States as a "planned campaign" against the church.

Just for kicks, let’s review the prophecy of St. Malachi that I discussed in my previous post, shall we? Malachi’s sobriquets for the last few Popes read as follows:

· Paul VI. The words of the 108th prophecy are "Flos Florum" (Flower of Flowers). The 108th pope after Innocent II was Paul VI (1963-78). His coat of arms included three fleurs-de-lis (iris blossoms).

· John Paul I. The 109th is "De Medietate Lunae" (Of the Half Moon). The corresponding pope was John Paul I (1978-78), who was born in the diocese of Belluno (beautiful moon) and was baptized Albino Luciani (white light). He became pope on August 26, 1978, when the moon appeared exactly half full. It was in its waning phase. He died the following month, soon after an eclipse of the moon.

· John Paul II. The 110th is "De Labore Solis" (Of the Solar Eclipse, or From the Toil of the Sun). The corresponding pope was John Paul II (1978-2005). John Paul II was born on May 8, 1920 during an eclipse of the sun. Like the sun, he came out of the East (Poland). Like the sun, he visited countries all around the globe.

The 111th prophecy is "Gloria Olivae" (The Glory of the Olive). The meaning of the olive is unclear. The Order of Saint Benedict – not St. Malachy – has claimed that this pope will come from its ranks and Saint Benedict himself prophesied that before the end of the world his Order, known also as the Olivetans, will triumphantly lead the Catholic Church in its final fight against evil.

So…Pope Benedict. Does he know something we don't?

The 112th prophecy says, "In the final persecution of the Holy Roman Church there will reign Petrus Romanus (Peter the Roman), who will feed his flock amid many tribulations; after which the seven-hilled city will be destroyed and the dreadful Judge will judge the people.
Trouble is, Petrus Romanus may not actually be St. Malachi’s work, but a much later addition. Meaning Benedict is it, kids.

Jesus is coming, look busy!

Except....it might all be hooey. Skeptic's counterpoint coming tomorrow!