It’s the Final Countdown
Tuning into the news today and feeling bombarded with an ever-present sense of impending doom, I cannot shake one story that has haunted me for at least two decades. Although I can’t remember when or where I first heard of it, I do know it has everything to do with the 112th Pope- which happens to be our current Pope Francis. (Odds are it was in a Nostradamus documentary on the History Channel in the 90s.) In any case, it has been seared into my brain. I’m not even joking- it’s like this thin veil of lingering despair and if I let myself sink into THAT rabbit hole, I fear I will have crossed over to never return. I swear every time something cataclysmic happens my mind automatically reverts to this conspiracy theory that we are in the END OF TIMES.
Photo from: Ancient-Origins.net
How did I get here? What is the Pope’s Prophecy anyway? I’m sure on a late night, after a full day of work that had me clicking through our cable network (this is before streaming and YouTube), I finally landed on the History Channel. Eerie music, artful sketches and a mind ready to receive the St Malachy prophecy that says we are basically nearing the end of the world as we know it. (Queue REM song.) It is said that we will experience the reign of three significant popes: Pope John Paul II - “The Toil of the Sun”, Pope Benedict - “Pope of the Olives”, and our current Pope Francis - “Peter the Roman” being our last and final Pope. It may seem odd unless you connect his father’s name to Pietro.
“In the extreme persecution of the Holy Roman Church, there will sit. [sic] Peter the Roman, who will nourish the sheep in many tribulations; when they are finished, the city of seven hills will be destroyed, and the dreadful judge will judge his people. The end.”
- from Ancient-Origins
Photo from: Ancient-Origins.net
I can remember when Pope John Paul II passed, my kids were going through catechism and for some reason I really felt that death. So much so, I tied a black ribbon in a bow on our porch column when we lived in Garden Grove, California. I watched religiously (pun intended) to see the white smoke billow from the Vatican stacks. The vote took all of two days.
In 1595 a Benedictine Monk (following the rules of St. Benedict emphasizing prayer, work, and community, w/a focus on stability, obedience and ongoing conversion) predicted Benedict XVI would be the 111th Pope. I didn’t know much about the new pope except he moved to change some things very quickly in the church. He was very strict and immediately changed a saying in mass (what Catholics call the period of church we attend). To this day I’m so old school, I recite the old version I learned growing up. The new “and with your spirit” hasn’t stuck with me although I admit I’m not a regular church goer anymore. More of a SOMETIMEY Catholic that loves her Saints and Holy Water. Benedict XVI, The Pope of the Olives (aka “The pope of Aesthetics” for his papal vestments- think of the opulent fashion fit!) resigned from his powerful, closest-to-God position. The most NUTTY thing to happen to the church is for a pope to step down. While Pope Benedict stepped down for declining health reasons, it is noted that there have only ever been five popes to resign out of the 111 of his time.
After just a day's time during the conclave to elect the 112th pope, Cardinal Jorge Bergolia from Argentina, son of Italian immigrants, greeted St. Peter’s Basilica Square from the balcony as Pope Francis. He had been the runner-up when Pope Benedict was elected and was favored from the 1st Ballot. By the 5th ballot the votes had a clear winner, and to the surprise of the Roman Curia “Papal Bureaucracy”, the congratulations to Cardinal Angelo Scola had to be rescinded as the white smoke once again billowed into the air.
“MILAN, Italy - Italian bishops were quick to congratulate the new pope. Too quick: They got the wrong man.”
- from CBS NEWS
Many believe that the Holy Spirit guided the cardinals to elect Pope Francis as the 112th pope. He was not a part of Europe and was seen as an outsider. He would bring science and live without any of the opulence of his predecessor. You will often see him in a plain white robe. He would reverse some of Pope Benedict’s return to traditional Latin changes. As well as embracing the youth and is considered to be one of the most progressive popes in history. Certainly, one of the most LGBTQIA+ friendly even if the rules of the church are archaic and bigoted.
(Fun Fact: my son Trent received the “BLESSING OF THE POPE” during a 2016 high school European Tour.)
Photo from: Tamantha Bowman personal collection
If you are interested in having an insider look into the election of the pope, watch the movie Conclave, a 2025 Oscar nominated movie about the selection of a new pope. I’ll admit that the first time I watched this film it was hard for me to digest the dialogue. I wasn’t in the right frame of mind or mood. I was distracted and probably doom scrolling. A few weeks later my husband suggested it on a quiet Saturday night. I made sure to be open to receive this time around. I found the movie intoxicating with the set design, imagery, and the story line. That’s all I will say about that since I don’t want to spoil it.
Photo from BuffaloRising.com
As of this writing Pope Francis is still in the hospital and has been since Valentine’s Day. Let me tell you, as a Catholic gal that has made five of seven sacraments, and made sure her kids were confirmed, my mind has been REELING. I’m clearly not the only one, as this article states all of Europe has been pondering, is Judgement day upon us?
Photos from: Tamantha Bowman personal collection
Consider the following current events the news has been filled with:
horrendous wildfires around Los Angeles, California, only 35 miles from me.
an earthquake that led to a tsunami evacuation along the Cascadia Pacific Northwest coast to Santa Cruz County California.
an alarming evacuation of Santorini Greece due the consistent seismic activity. (Watch La Palma on Netflix to grasp the scope of evacuating on an island in the Mediterranean Sea.)
Many of the End of World prophecies include a world leader being a false prophet or the antichrist. Look no further than our most recent United States election many view as one of the final nails in the coffin. A president with a base that has been compared to a cult (in my opinion) is symbolic of sounding trumpets (The angels will sound the trumpets).
“The seven seals include the appearance of the Antichrist (Revelation 6:1–2), great warfare (Revelation 6:3–4), famine (Revelation 6:5–6), plague (Revelation 6:7–8), the martyrdom of believers in Christ (Revelation 6:9–11), a devastating earthquake causing terrible devastation, and astronomical upheaval (Revelation 6:12–14). Those who survive the six seals are right to cry out, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” (Revelation 6:16–17).
- Got Questions
It was not lost on me that a few days before the election our new president introduced his meme coin. Crypto currency potentially can be seen as a new form of currency that may make the U. S. dollar obsolete. These recent events are more reminders of this doomsday prophecy and the similarities are uncanny, if not very coincidental. Don’t get me started on planes falling from the sky. (Insert crying face emoji.) Or political turmoil around the world that feels like history repeating itself. It is all a bit overwhelming and very much concerning.
Let us not forget that many times the end of the world never came to be. We survived and made it through hard times. I would like to leave you with something funny to watch and help ease your mind: Stream the show Parks and Rec S4 E6 End of the World . My Spooky Sisterhood pal Val suggested this. We laughed so much and this was a rewatch for me. I agree with my daughter Sophia, that it is highly underrated. We watched the entire series at her suggestion during the pandemic. She was already a SUPER FAN. I ended up giving her the DVD box set that she took with her when she moved away for college. The show helped ease her into dorm life while she waited for the internet to be connected. I highly recommend including physical media in your doomsday prepping.
For another breakdown that is more light-hearted due to the personalities check out;
YouTube Sunday Cool Ninjas are Butterflies Podcast Papal Prophecy and The End of Times: Are We Nearing The Final Chapter. One of them quoted “Rome didn’t fall, it became the church.” My mind is blown.
If you’re like me, you already own a copy of Bug-in Guide by Joel Lambert. It’s not all doom and gloom but I’ll be lighting a candle and keeping vigil that we all survive whatever the future holds. Alright, alright- in truth, just let me turn into an eternal energy source to roam the universe. I'm not made for a post-apocalyptic world. I’m totally ok with that.
Happy prepping Spooky Pals.
Written by: Tamantha Bowman
“I neither refute or dispute the references but present this blog article for entertainment purposes only.” - Comment from the author
***Editor’s Note: On the morning of 3/23/25 Pope Francis was released from the hospital.
https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-first-public-appearance-hospital-pneumonia-cacf6c5cb7d5c09595973aeb8f51e44f
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SOURCES
USA Today The Story Behind Pope Francis Election dated March 16th, 2013 by David Gibson, Religion News Service
Quote Ancient Origins Article dated February 11, 2018 by Ashley Cowie “Prophecy of the Popes: Are we reaching the End of Days?
CBS NEWS Italian Bishops Email Papal to the Wrong Man
The Public Domain Review The Prophecy of the Popes (15th Century) published June 19, 2014
National Geographic How a New Pope is Elected by Melissa Sartore February 25, 2025
The Huffpost St. Malachy Last Pope Prophecy What Theologians Think About 12th - Century Prediction by Cavan Sieczkowski February 14, 2013
Bitcoin Magazine How Bitcoin Helped Me Escape A Doomsday Cult dated December 9, 2022 by Jonathan Leger
PBS The Book of Revelations
History Channel Vatican Library 1994 YouTube
History Channel Nostradamus YouTube
VaticanNews.Va Pope is Improving and Increasingly Uses Less High-Flow Oxygen dated March 21st, 2025 by Vatican News
EuroNews 900-Year-Old Vatican Doomsday Prophecy Resurfaces Amid Pope Francis Illness dated March 14, 2024 by David Mouriquad
