The following treatise was taken from the Catholic Encyclopaedia published in 1911. Newer editions do not go to this detail pertaining to the saint. Article from the Internet a couple of years ago, author unknown.
The most famous and best known prophecies about the popes are those attributed to Saint Malachy. In 1139 he went to Rome to give an account of the affairs of his diocese to the pope, Innocent II, who promised him two palliums for the metropolitan Sees of Armagh and Cashel. While at Rome, he received (according to the Abbe Cucherat ) the strange vision of the future wherein was unfolded before his mind the long list of illustrious pontiffs who were to rule the Church until the end of time. The same author tells us the Saint Malachy gave his MS. to Innocent II to console him in the midst of his tribulations, and the document remained unknown in the Roman Archives until its discovery in 1590 ( Cucherat, "Proph. de la succession des papes" ). They were first published by Arnold de Wyon, and ever since there has been much discussion as to whether they are genuine predictions of St. Malachy or forgeries. The silence of 400 years on the part of so many learned authors who had written about the popes, and the silence of St. Bernard especially, who wrote the " Life Of St. Malachy ", is strong argument against their authenticity, but it is not conclusive if we adopt Cucherat's theory that they were hidden in the Archives during those 400 years.
These short prophetical announcements in number 112, indicate some noticeable trait of all the future popes from Celestine II, who was elected in the year 1130, until the end of the world. They are enunciated under the mystical titles. Those who have undertaken to interpret and explain these symbolic prophecies have discovering some trait, allusion, point or similitude in their application to the individual popes, either as to their country, name, their coat of arms or insignia, their birth place, their talent or learning, the title of their cardinalate, the dignities which they held etc. For example, the prophecy concerning Urban VIII is Lilium et rosa ( the lily and the rose ); he was a native of Florence and on the arms of Florence figured a fleur-de-lis; he had three bees emblazoned on his escutcheon, and the bees gather honey from the lilies and roses.
Again the name accords often with some remarkable or rare circumstances in the pope's career: thus Peregrinus apostilicus ( pilgrim pope ), which designates Pius VI, appears to be verified by his journey when pope into Germany, by his long career as pope, and by his expatriation from Rome at the end of his pontificate. Those who have lived and followed the course of events in an intelligent manner during the pontificates of Pius IX, Leo XIII, and Pius X cannot fail to be impressed with the titles given to each by the prophecies of St. Malachy and their wonderful appropriateness: Crux de cruce ( Cross from a cross ) Pius IX; Lumen in Caelo ( Light in the Sky ) Leo XIII; Ignis argens ( Burning Fire ) Pius X. There is something more than coincidence in the designations given to these three popes so many hundred of years before their time. We need have recourse either to the family names, armorial bearings or cardinalitial titles to see the fitness of their designations as given in the prophecies. The afflictions and crosses of Pius IX were more than fell to the lot of his predecessors; and the more aggravating of these crosses were brought on by the House of Savoy whose emblem was a cross. Leo XIII was a veritable luminary of the papacy. The present pope (1911) is truly a burning fire of zeal for the restoration of all things in Christ.
he latter of these prophecies concerns the end of the world as is as follows, " In the final persecution of the Holy Roman Church there will reign 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. The End." It has been noticed concerning Petrus Romanus, who according to St. Malachy's list is to be the last pope, that the prophecy does not say that no popes shall intervene between him and his predecessor designated Gloria Olivae . It merely says he is to be the last, so that we may suppose as many popes as please before " Peter The Roman". Corneius a Lapide refers to this prophecy in his commentary " On the Gospel of St. John " and "On the Apocalypse" and he endeavours to calculate according to it the remaining years of time.
So Ends the Treatise
According to St Malachy's list, Pope John Paul II is the third to the last pope. He is referred to as "ab labore solis", from the labour of the sun. Therefore, the remaining popes are:
ab labore solis (current Pope, John Paul II)
gloria olivae (second to last pope)
petrus romanus (Peter the Roman would be the last pope)
The interesting thing is this. I have heard from rumour that one French Bishop or Cardinal that is likely to be considered as next pope is from Jewish descent. If that is the case, and if he is elected, he would fit into Gloria Olivae perfectly. Look at Paul's Letter to the Romans, Chapter 11:17-24. Paul describes God's possessors of the Covenant, Abraham's descendants, as a cultivated olive tree. Gentile Christians are the wild olive branch from a wild olive tree, that has been grafted onto the original cultivated olive tree. Neither one, either Jew or Gentile, is considered better than the other, since Paul says neither group supports the roots. Regardless, if the Holy Father passes away and this French Cardinal or Bishop begins his reign, then I believe we must look twice at St. Malachy's prophecies
