______________________________________________________________

Petrus Romanus

In recent times, some interpreters of prophetic literature have paid attention to the prophecy due to its imminent conclusion; if the list of descriptions is matched on a one-to-one basis to the list of historic popes since publication, Benedict XVI (2005–13) would correspond to the second to last of the papal descriptions, Gloria olivae (the glory of the olive). The longest and final verse predicts the Apocalypse:

In the final persecution of the Holy Roman Church, there will sit [i.e., as bishop]. Peter the Roman, who will pasture his sheep in many tribulations, and when these things are finished, the city of seven hills [i.e. Rome] will be destroyed, and the dreadful judge will judge his people. The End.

Several historians and interpreters note the prophecy leaves open the possibility of unlisted popes between “the glory of the olive” and the final pope, “Peter the Roman”. In the Lignum Vitae, the line In persecutione extrema S.R.E. sedebit. forms a separate sentence and paragraph of its own. While often read as part of the “Peter the Roman” entry, other interpreters view it as a separate, incomplete sentence explicitly referring to one or more popes between “the glory of the olive” and “Peter the Roman”.

______________________________________________________________