Can prophecy about next pope being the Antichrist be true?

OPINION: AFTER the Mayan calendar end-of-the-world event, you'd think people would get more worked up about a pope who might be the Antichrist.

Pope Benedict XVI has resigned in an unprecedented move in the modern history of the Catholic Church. Picture: Alexandre Meneghiniap

WITH all the fear, trepidation and angst that accompanied the Mayan calendar end-of-the-world extravaganza last year, you'd think people would get even more worked up about a pope who might be the Antichrist.

A little-known series of prophecies made by the Irish saint Malachy after he had a vision when he visited Rome in the 12th century has correctly predicted the past 111 popes.

Lightning strikes St Peter's dome at the Vatican on the day Pope Benedict XVI announces he will resign as leader of the world's 1.1 billion Catholics because his age prevented him from carrying out his duties - an unprecedented move in the modern history of the Catholic Church. Picture: FILIPPO MONTEFORTE

A short Latin phrase was given for each prophecy and the descriptions have been eerily accurate for each of the popes that followed.

One of the most striking examples was John Paul I, whose Latin phrase was De Medietate Lunae, or Of The Half Moon.

He was elected on August 26, 1978 when there was a half moon.

He died the following month soon after an eclipse of the moon.

Still more prophecies have been fulfilled based on floral or animal emblems, including Flos Florum, or Flower of Flowers, which prophesied Pope Paul VI.

His coat of arms included three iris blossoms.

Following the resignation of Pope Benedict, there is only one pope left in the prophecy - Peter the Roman.

Pope Benedict's likely successor? Cardinal Peter Turkson from Ghana who resides in Rome.

Now I'm not saying this man is Beelzebub, Satan, the Antichrist, the devil.

In fact his appointment would be an amazing historical moment as he would be the first black pope.

But I'm not going to lie - it does creep me out slightly.

Not all of those who have studied the prophecies believe the interpretation means the next pope will be the antichrist but some do.

Others believe the prophecy will be fulfilled by the evil of the people, which is hardly a more comforting thought.

The fact that the prophecy names no more popes after Peter the Roman might mean nothing more than the Mayan Calendar running out in 2012.

And the eerie prophecies may turn out to be nothing more than a fearful superstition - but who knows?

The 112th prophecy states: in the final persecution of the holy Roman Church there will reign Petrus Romanus, 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.

The End.