Punzi's Corner Blog

Not only do I have to fear the future for my family, I feel a certain trepidation for the future of mankind.

The previous blog was written before the Pope John Paul II died. When he did, the wheels were set in motion for the transition period.

The first indication is the quick and comprehensive update of the website. The front page quickly read "Apostolica Sedes Vacans" which I surmise to mean "Vacancy of the Apostolic See." Words like interregnum and conclave continue to blare from the television. The Vatican spokesman, after announcing the Holy Father's death, quickly followed by stating the wheels are in motion.

I have to admit, I started reading on papal succession when the Holy Father's condition worsened some few odd months ago. I have already read the procedure for succession, the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis that was laid down last 1996.

I even researched on what happens when a pope dies and I knew that tapping the head with a small silver hammer thingy. I don't know what was with me then. I think I got interested in this so I would not suffer bandwidth problems today (as you may be experiencing now...)

I fear for the future, especially St. Malachy's papal predictions. People have referred to De Labore Solis (from the labor of the sun) as John Paul II due to the fact that he was born under a solar eclipse. Other say that he was born where Copernicus "labored" to prove that the earth revolves around the sun. Still others say that because of his devotion to the Virgin May, he is the fruit of the intercession of the Woman Clothed with the Sun referred to in Revelations 12.

If indeed, John Paul II is De Labore Solis, there will be two more before the Final Judgment...

St. Malachy referred to the next one as De Gloria Olivae (from the Glory of the Olive). Some have interpretted this to mean that the next pope shall come from the Benedictine Order (since the Benedictines as also known as the Olivetans). Some say that the next pope will bring unprecedented (glorious) peace (since the olive is the symbol of peace.)

The final one is the most disturbing. He is Petrus Romanus (Peter the Roman) who, "[i]n extreme persecution, xxx will feed the sheep through many tribulations, at the term of which the city of seven hills will be destroyed, and the formidable Judge will judge his people. The End."

Creepy...

If this is true the time frame will probably have a maximum of about 50 years (assuming the two next popes will have the same tenure as John Paul II). And given this, Peter the Roman has already been born, I think.