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Luke 21.25:- And there shall be signs...

Lightning strikes!…

13.2.13

Introduction by Peter Brave-Heart

The following is a compilation from different journalists and writers,

concerning the Pope’s sudden resignation.

(activatedscotland@yahoo.com)

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Comment by David Shea:-

“You probably heard that the current Pope decided to resign, a thing

unheard of in nearly 600 years!?

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Very soon after his announcement THIS happened!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21421810

Maybe you don’t believe in “signs” (though there are plenty around),

but perhaps you might need to consider a little item known as “The

Prophecy of the Popes” , and then take into account what Tom Horn

and Cris Putnam proposed in their book “Petrus Romanus”? This

“news” is no small thing folks! Coupled with the revelation of soon-

to-be-viewed events “coming to a city near you”, as described in Tom

and Cris’s new book “Exo-Vaticana” (due out in April), you might

also need to consider that “it won’t be long now folks!” This is a

VERY significant year, with VERY significant events unfolding

“before your very eyes”! “Revealed”, “sudden”, “confusion”,

“distress”, “chaos” (as if things weren’t bad enough already),

“warning”, “war” – these are all key words for this year I’m afraid,

along with the rise and perhaps “revelation” of “a saviour”!

WND EXCLUSIVE

'Final pope' authors predicted Benedict would resign

900-year-old Catholic prophecy says successor will be 'Peter the

Roman'

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Although a Roman Catholic pope had not stepped down in nearly 600

years, the startling resignation of Pope Benedict XVI was predicted

by the co-authors of a book published last spring about a medieval

prophecy that the next pontiff will be the last.

In “Petrus Romanus: The Final Pope is Here,” co-authors Tom Horn

and Cris Putnam examine St. Malachy’s “Prophecy of the Popes,”

said to be based on his prophetic vision of the next 112 popes,

beginning with Pope Celestine II, who died in 1144. Malachy

presented a description of each pope, culminating with the “final

pope,” “Peter the Roman,” whose reign would end with the

destruction of Rome and judgment.

Horn explained to WND in an interview today that his conclusion

Benedict would resign rather than die in the papacy was based not

only on St. Malachy but also on a host of historical and current

information.

“We took ‘The Prophecy of the Popes,’ we took what was happening

in Italian media, and we determined, based on a great deal of

information, that Pope Benedict would likely step down, citing health

reasons, in 2012 or 2013,” he said.

St. Malachy was an Irish saint and the archbishop of Armagh, who

lived from 1094 to 1l48. Malacy described the penultimate pope,

which Horn believes is Benedict, as “Gloria Olivae,” or “Glory of the

Olive.”

Pope Benedict XVI was not a Benedictine priest, yet he chose the

name of Benedict, the founder of the Order of Saint Benedict, which

also is known as the Olivetans

The symbol of the Benedictine order includes an olive branch.

Benedict, speaking Monday morning in Latin to a small gathering of

cardinals at the Vatican, said that after examining his conscience

“before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an

advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise” of leading

the Roman Catholic Church.

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Peter the Roman

Malachy described the last Pope as “Petrus Romanus,” or “Peter the

Roman,” writing: “In the final persecution of the Holy Roman Church

there will reign Peter the Roman, who will feed his flock among many

tribulations; after which the seven-hilled city will be destroyed and

the dreadful Judge will judge the people.”

Horn and his co-author have created their own list of 10 candidates to

succeed Benedict and become “Peter the Roman.”

Interestingly, a leading candidate is Cardinal Tarcisio Pietro Evasio

Bertone, the Cardinal secretary of state, who was born in Romano,

Italy. His name could, therefore, be rendered Peter the Roman.

Another Peter on the list is a black African, Cardinal Peter Turkson of

Ghana, the current president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and

Peace.

In any case, Horn noted, Catholics believe the pope inhabits the

“Petrine office” as a successor of the apostle Peter.

Other candidates on Horn’s list are Francis Arinze, Angelo Scola,

Gianfranco Ravasi, Leonardo Sandri, Ennio Antonelli, Jean-Louis

Tauran, Christoph Schönborn and Marc Quellet.

In 1880, M. J. O’Brien, a Catholic priest, published in Dublin a book

providing a “historical and critical account” of St. Malachy’s

prophecies.

O’Brien believed Malachy was declaring that the reign of the pope

identified as Petrus Romanus would culminate with the end of the

world and the return of Jesus Christ.

O’Brien describes Malachy’s vision occurring while the saint was in

Rome for a month, visiting and praying at the Eternal City’s many

historical and holy sites.

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The sight of the ruins of Pagan Rome, the tombs of the Apostles, the

thought of so many thousands of martyrs, the presence of [Pope]

Innocent II, who had been obligated to wander so many years in

France and elsewhere on account of the anti-pope Anaclete – all this, I

say, filled the mind of St. Malachy with deep and sad reflections and

he was forced to cry out in the words of the old prophets: “Usquequo,

Domine non misereberis Sion?” – “How long, O Lord! wilt Thou not

have mercy on Sion?”

O’Brien continued:

And God answered: “Until the end of the world the Church will be

both militant and triumphant. Until the end of time the sufferings of

my passion and the mysteries of my cross must be continued on earth,

and I shall be with you until the end of the world.” And then was

unfolded before the gaze of the holy bishop of Armagh the long line

of illustrious pilots who were to guide the storm-tossed bark of Peter

until the end.

Malachy gave his manuscript to Innocent II, who was pontiff from

1130 to 1143. The document was placed in the Vatican archives,

where it remained unknown until its discovery in 1590.

‘Amazingly accurate’

Through the past 900 years, various critics have questioned the

authenticity and the accuracy of St. Malachy’s prophecies, often

arguing the methods used by some of his interpreters to apply his

epithets to certain popes have been tortuous.

Horn told WND he and Putnam took a critical view of “The Prophecy

of the Popes” and determined that the first part of it, the first 70 or so

predictions, probably was altered in the late 16th century.

“It appears that somebody had altered the original medieval document

from 1590 backward to promote a particular cardinal to the College of

Cardinals to be the fulfillment of what at that time was still a secret

list of popes,” Horn explained.

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An advocate for Cardinal Girolamo Simoncelli, Horn said, likely

“tinkered with the document to make it look like it was pointing

toward Simoncelli.”

In “Petrus Romanus,” Horn said, he and Putnam “disregard

everything pre-1595, as partly or fully tainted.”

After 1595, however, “The Prophecy of the Popes” was open to

public scrutiny.

A modern version of Malachy’s prophecies was published in 1969 by

Archbishop H. E. Cardinale, the Apostolic Nuncio to Belgium and

Luxembourg.

Cardinale wrote “it is fair to say the vast majority of Malachy’s

predictions about successive Popes is amazingly accurate – always

remembering that he gives only a minimum of information.”

Horn noted Benedict’s brother, Georg Ratzinger, also a priest,

suggested last year that the pontiff might retire at age 85, arguing

Catholic law would allow for him to step down if his health wouldn’t

allow him to continue.

Benedict, himself, made a case for papal resignation in a book-length

interview, “Light of the World.”

Asked if he thought it appropriate for a pope to retire, he said, “If a

pope clearly realizes that he is no longer physically, psychologically

and spiritually capable of handling the duties of his office, then he has

a right and, under some circumstances, also an obligation to resign.”

Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2013/02/final-pope-authors-predicted-benedict-would-

resign/#P65m0TQjhStY5xog.99

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Pope Benedict XVI to resign citing poor health

Pope Benedict XVI announces his resignation in a surprise statement

Pope Benedict XVI is to resign at the end of this month after nearly

eight years as the head of the Catholic Church, saying he is too old to

continue at the age of 85.

The unexpected development - the first papal resignation in nearly

600 years - surprised governments, Vatican-watchers and even his

closest aides.

The Vatican says it expects a new Pope to be elected before Easter.

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger became Pope in 2005 after John Paul II's

death.

Pope Benedict XVI

At 78, one of the oldest new popes in history when elected in 2005

Born in Germany in 1927, joined Hitler Youth during WWII and was conscripted as an anti-aircraft gunner but deserted

As Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger spent 24 years in charge of Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith - once known as the Holy Office of the Inquisition

A theological conservative, with uncompromising views on homosexuality and women priests

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Reached out to other faiths, visiting sites holy to Muslims and Jews

The BBC's David Willey in Rome says the move has come as a shock

- but adds that in theory there has never been anything stopping Pope

Benedict or any of his predecessors from stepping aside.

Under the Catholic Church's governing code, Canon Law, the only

conditions for the validity of such a resignation are that it be made

freely and be properly published.

But resignation is extremely rare: the last Pope to step aside was Pope

Gregory XII, who resigned in 1415 amid a schism within the Church.

Doctor's advice

A Vatican spokesman, Father Federico Lombardi, said that even Pope

Benedict's closest aides did not know what he was planning to do and

were left "incredulous". He added that the decision showed "great

courage" and "determination".

Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti is quoted as saying he was

"greatly shaken by this unexpected news".

At the scene

David Willey BBC News, Rome

The Pope's elder brother Georg and his private secretary, Archbishop

Georg Gaenswein, were probably the only people to know in advance

about Joseph Ratzinger's long-pondered decision to step down from

the papacy. Even the Vatican's official spokesman admitted he had

been taken by surprise.

But the signs were there for anyone to read. For the first time in

decades no papal travel plans had been announced for 2013. Visitors

to the Vatican had noticed his weakened voice. He sometimes uses a

cane to walk, and has cut back of all his public engagements. The

2013 Easter vigil mass, perhaps the most important liturgy of the year,

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usually celebrated at midnight, had been scheduled for early evening

this year, to allow the Pope to retire well before midnight.

But by Easter 2013 the Roman Catholic Church should have a new

spiritual leader - and his identity is sure to be another surprise.

The brother of the German-born Pope said the pontiff had been

advised by his doctor not to take any more transatlantic trips and had

been considering stepping down for months.

Speaking to the BBC from his home in Regensburg in Germany,

Georg Ratzinger said his brother's resignation was part of a "natural

process".

"When he got to the second half of his 80s, he felt that his age was

showing and that he was gradually losing the abilities he may have

had and that it takes to fulfil this office properly," he said.

There would be no interference in choosing a successor, Georg

Ratzinger said: "Where he's needed he will make himself available,

but he will not want to want to intervene in the affairs of his

successor."

The next Pope will be chosen by members of a 117-strong nominating

conclave held in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican.

Analysts say Europeans - and Italian-speakers specifically - are still

among the favourites, but strong candidates could emerge from Africa

and Latin America, which both have very large Catholic populations.

The Pope was to retire to the papal residence at Castel Gandolfo when

he leaves office, the Vatican said, before moving into a renovated

monastery used by cloistered nuns for "a period of prayer and

reflection".

'Full freedom'

At 78, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was one of the oldest new popes in

history when elected.

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He took the helm as one of the fiercest storms the Catholic Church

has faced in decades - the scandal of child sex abuse by priests - was

breaking.

In a statement, the pontiff said: "After having repeatedly examined

my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my

strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate

exercise of the Petrine ministry.

Damian Thompson, former editor of the Catholic Herald, says the

Pope has made a "brave move"

"I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual

nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less

with prayer and suffering.

"However, in today's world, subject to so many rapid changes and

shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to

steer the ship of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of

mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months,

has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognise my

incapacity to adequately fulfil the ministry entrusted to me.

"For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with

full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome,

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Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the cardinals on 19 April

2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours,

the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a conclave

to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those

whose competence it is."

A theological conservative before and during his time as Pope, he

has taken traditional positions on homosexuality and women priests,

while urging abstinence instead of blessing the use of contraceptives.

European press roundup

The Pope's shock resignation on health grounds is an "eruption of

modernity" into the Vatican, according to Ezio Mauro, chief editor of

Italy's La Repubblica daily.

The Spanish daily El Mundo says Benedict XVI will be remembered

as "God's sweeper" - the man who tried to resolve the "numerous

problems of the Church that did so much harm to its image".

The editor of German broadcaster Deutsche Welle, Bernd Riegert,

calls the Pope's move "a courageous step, a revolutionary step". "He

has helped himself to freedom, he is setting boundaries. No longer

will successors be able to cling onto their office."

European media stunned

His attempts at inter-faith relations were mixed, with Muslims, Jews

and Protestants all taking offence at various times, despite ongoing

efforts to reach out and visits to key holy sites, including those in

Jerusalem.

A German government spokesman said he was "moved and touched"

by the surprise resignation of the pontiff.

"The German government has the highest respect for the Holy Father,

for what he has done, for his contributions over the course of his life

to the Catholic Church.

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"He has left a very personal signature as a thinker at the head of the

Church, and also as a shepherd."

See:- http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21421810

Lightning strikes the Vatican – literally

Doyle Rice, USA TODAY2:39p.m. EST February 12, 2013

Papal prank? Or did lightning really hit the Vatican?

Luke 10:18: And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall

from heaven.

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(Photo: Filippo Monteforte AFP/Getty Images)

Story Highlights

Lightning hit the same day that Pope Benedict announced his resignation

Thunderstorms were reported in Rome on Monday Meteorologist says it looks real

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I know the pope has connections, but this is extraordinary!

An apparent photo of a lightning bolt striking St. Peter's Basilica in

the Vatican Monday night (left) -- the same day that Pope Benedict

XVI announced his resignation, stunning the world -- has gone viral.

Filippo Monteforte, a photographer with Agence France Press, told

England's Daily Mirror that "I took the picture from St. Peter's Square

while sheltered by the columns. It was icy cold and raining sheets.

When the storm started, I thought that lightning might strike the rod,

so I decided it was worth seeing whether – if it DID strike – I could

get the shot at exactly the right moment."

Monteforte waited for more than two hours and was rewarded for his

patience with not one but two bolts, the Mirror reported.

But could it be fake? One expert, AccuWeather meteorologist and

lightning photographer Jesse Ferrell, thinks it's real. In addition to the

account from Monteforte -- a trusted and well-known photographer --

Ferrell sees telltale signs of a genuine lightning strike.

"I believe the photo is plausible, and since it was taken by a

professional, with potential video to back it up, I'd say that the photo

is legitimate," Ferrell writes on.

Also, he notes that thunderstorms were present in Rome Monday

afternoon.

What's a bit spooky, Ferrell says, is "that it doesn't appear from a

Google Image Search that a similar image has ever been captured

before...."

Lightning has a long, symbolic history in the Italian capital, even

predating the Catholic Church: "In Rome, from before 300 B.C. to as

late as the fourth century, A.D., the College of Augurs, composed of

distinguished Roman citizens, was charged with the responsibility of

determining the wishes of Jupiter relative to state affairs," writes

engineer and lightning expert Martin A. Uman in his book Lightning

Discharge.

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"This was accomplished," Uman writes, "by making observations of

three classes of objects in the sky: birds, meteors, and lightning. In the

case of the latter, the observation was always made while looking

south, and the location of the lightning relative to the direction of

observation was taken as a sign of Jupiter's approval -- or

disapproval."

On average, according to Uman in his book All About Lightning, there

are about 8 million lightning strikes each day around the world.