Pope Francis, lapsed Catholics, and the Lutherans

The new Pope Francis seems to have had some impact already on reaching what are termed “lapsed Catholics”:

Twenty million Americans consider themselves lapsed Catholics, but Pope Francis is convincing many to test the holy waters again with his bold gestures and common touch.

After years of disenchantment with the church’s hierarchy and teachings, former members of the flock say they are willing to give the Vatican a second chance under new leadership…

Embrace of poor http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/04/10/17671252-it-was-a-sign-lapsed-catholics-lured-back-by-pope-francis

If Pope Francis does not only make statements about the poor, but also gives some of the Vatican’s vast wealth to the poor, that will increase his popularity, not only amongst the poor, but amongst others. It may assist his ecumenical goals as well.

Notice also the following:

The head of the Council of the Evangelical Church in Germany, Dr Nikolaus Schneider, has said he is hopeful for future Christian unity after meeting Pope Francis at the Vatican.

Dr Schneider had been scheduled to meet Pope Benedict XVI during an early April trip to Rome. Instead, he spent about 30 minutes with Pope Francis on Monday in the papal library in the Apostolic Palace.

“I hope a Pope who shows himself so close to the poor and the suffering also shows his understanding of couples who share everything except Communion,” he told reporters. In Germany where tens of thousands of Catholics are married to Protestants, broader permission to receive Communion in each others’ churches is something many people have been seeking for years…

Dr Schneider said he expects the emphasis on Christian unity being built on a common faith in Christ to continue under Pope Francis…http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2013/04/09/lutheran-pastor-meets-pope-francis-in-rome/

Cardinal Kurt Koch was also present. He was selected for his position, at least partially, because of his knowledge of Protestantism, presumably to help persuade Protestants to ultimately embrace the Church of Rome–that will take compromise on both sides. But it is compromise that both sides will ultimately do.

As far as the Lutherans go, they have repeatedly suggested a willingness to compromise, and ultimately most will embrace the Church of Rome at the end.

With Francis now the head of the Church of Rome, his increasing popularity may make this easier for not only ‘lapsed Catholics’ and Protestants to embrace his hoped for unity, but those of the Eastern Orthodox and others as well.

Change is occurring.

How much change?

I watched an interview today from NBC’s Today show, where Cardinal Edward Egan suggested that Pope Francis would bring “tremendous change” to the Roman Catholic Church. If Francis is the last pope, he not only will do that, but to the entire world (cf. Revelation 13).

But even if he is not the last pope, if he increases the popularity of the Church of Rome, brings about more ecumenical cooperation, and dispenses with certain Catholic practices (which, to a degree, he already has, see ), then he may instead be setting the world up for the last pope.

The last pope will, at least initially, claim to be Roman Catholic. The last pope will use the Church of Rome for his own purposes and then betray it.

After it seemed like I had finished this post, someone tipped me off to a news item from Portugal today:

April 11, 2013

Pontificate of Pope Francis to be consecrated to Our Lady of Fatima

As an answer to the request of the Pope to the Patriarch of Lisbon, Cardinal José Policarpo, asking that he consecrate the Pope’s Pontificate to Our Lady of Fatima, the Bishops of Portugal have just decided that this consecration be made next May 13.

The consecration will be included in the program of the International Pilgrimage of May 12/13 and will be made on the 13th at a time to be announced later. http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2013/04/encouraging-sign-of-more-to-come.html

This is potentially very important IF Pope Francis is the last pope, but also has importance if he is not. As I wrote in my book Fatima Shock!, various apparitions have suggested that “Mary” (not truly the mother of Jesus) will be powerful in the time of the end and basically turn the world to a changed version of Roman Catholicism that will support the Great Monarch (who is really the final King of the North) and basically takeover the world.

The Pope already dedicated his pontificate to a non-biblical ‘Mary’ and if he does what the Fatimists actually want–which is to consecrate Russia to the so-called “immaculate heart of Mary”–many will believe this will lead to world peace and massive conversions to Catholicism. But that is not the way to world peace or to bring salvation to the world. The rise of the so-called Great Monarch (the Beast of the sea in Revelation 13 and the final King of the North in Daniel 11) and ‘miracles’ to bring people to Rome is warned against in scripture.

Some items of related interest may include:

The Last Pope: Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis? Kindle This electronic version of a new 186 page book (in the print version). And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to The Last Pope: Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis? Kindle.
The Last Pope: Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis? What does the Bible say about a pope near this time? Is the final pope to be an antipope and antichrist? Does Catholic prophecy point to Pope Francis as being the dreaded “Peter the Roma”? This 186 page book provides information and answers. This book is available for USD$9.98 in printed form The Last Pope: Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis.
The Malachy Prophecies and “Peter the Roman” An Irish bishop allegedly predicted something about 112 popes in the 12th century. Pope Benedict XVI was number 111. Francis would seem to be number 112–if he is that one–and if so, he is to reign until Rome is destroyed. May he be an antipope/final Antichrist?
Pope Benedict XVI and the next pope Will the pope that succeeds Pope Benedict XVI fulfill biblical and non-biblical prophecies? What about Pope Benedict himself? Pope Benedict XVI resigned his pontificate effective February 28, 2013. Might his resignation lead to the fulfillment of prophecy? Might his resignation lead to the prophesied Antichrist according to biblical and Catholic prophecies? Do Catholic prophecies foretell of an antipope as the next pope? Is the Peter the Roman of the Malachy prophecies the next pope? Is there a 6,000 year plan? Is the 6,000 year almost up?
Why Should American Catholics Should Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster? Do Protestants realize what the goal of the ecumenical Catholics is?
Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics The talks for unification involve compromise and the apparent rising up of a changed religion that no one should accept.
Sola Scriptura or Prima Luther? What Did Martin Luther Really Believe About the Bible? Though he is known for his public sola Scriptura teaching, did Martin Luther’s writings about the Bible suggest he felt that prima Luther was his ultimate authority? Statements from him changing and/or discounting 18 books of the Bible are included. Do you really want to know the truth?
John Calvin, Calvinism, TULIP, and What is Predestination? Who was John Calvin? Did he believe in sola Scriptura or did he hold to unbiblical doctrines? TULIP analyzed.
Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God differ from most Protestants How the real Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a Church of God background.
The Similarities and Dissimilarities between Martin Luther and Herbert W. Armstrong This article clearly shows some of the doctrinal differences between in the two. At this time of doctrinal variety and a tendency by many to accept certain aspects of Protestantism, the article should help clarify why the genuine Church of God is NOT Protestant. Do you really know what the Protestant Reformer Martin Luther taught and should you follow his doctrinal example?
Some Doctrines of Antichrist Are there any doctrines taught outside the Churches of God which can be considered as doctrines of antichrist? This article suggests at least three. It also provides information on 666 and the identity of “the false prophet.” Plus it shows that several Catholic writers seem to warn about an ecumenical antipope that will support heresy.
Is There an Islamic Antichrist? Is Joel Richardson correct that the final Antichrist will be Islamic and not European? Find out.
Will You Be Deceived by Antichrist? 1964 article by David Jon Hill, originally published in the old Good News magazine.
Could Pope Francis be the Last Pope and Antichrist? According to some interpretations of the prophecies of the popes by the Catholic saint and Bishop Malachy, Pope Francis I is in the position of “Peter the Roman,” the pontiff who reigns during tribulations until around the time of the destruction of Rome. Do biblical prophecies warn of someone that sounds like Peter the Roman? Could Francis I be the heretical antipope of Catholic private prophecies and the final Antichrist of Bible prophecy? This is a YouTube video.
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? Here is a link to a video titled: Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?
Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Apparitions Do you know much about Mary? Are the apparitions real? What happened at Fatima? What might they mean for the rise of the ecumenical religion of Antichrist? Are Protestants moving towards Mary? How do the Eastern/Greek Orthodox view Mary? How might Mary view her adorers?
Fatima Shock! What the Vatican Does Not Want You to Know About Fatima, Dogmas of Mary, and Future Apparitions. Whether or not you believe anything happened at Fatima, if you live long enough, you will be affected by its ramifications (cf. Isaiah 47; Revelation 17). Fatima Shock! provides concerned Christians with enough Catholic-documented facts to effectively counter every false Marian argument. In addition to the print version, there is a Kindle version of Fatima Shock! which you can acquire in seconds.