The Glory of the Olive
The news this week is all about the Pope. There are the usual news stories and commentaries suggesting what the Pope should do and how should alter his message to gain more popularity. I have no advice for the Pope, just a hope that he will continue to restore the historic liturgy and the Latin Rite.
It is also Friday, and this blog takes seriously its mandate to promote responsible leisure. While doing my weekly research on martinis, I came across this item from April 12, 2005:
Prophecy Points to Olive Pope
[T]he next Pope will be the “Olive” Pope, according to a 12th century prophecy that foresees just two remaining pontificates before the end of the world.
The often-cited – and contested – prediction is attributed to St Malachy, an Irish archbishop recognised by members of the church for his ability to read the future and who was canonised more than 800 years ago.
St Malachy was said to have had a vision during a trip to
The next Pope will be number 111 on that list and is described in the text as the “Glory of the Olive.”
The week after this story appeared, Pope Benedict was elected.
Malachy-watchers had long speculated the “Olive” Pope would come from the Order of Saint Benedict, a branch of which is known as the Olivetans.
One person who commented 
on this story suggested that the Olive Pope would naturally be followed by the Martini Pope. Wikipedia describes Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini as a Latin Rite Prelate, but it appears that Cardinal Martini is past the age at which he could become Pope. Oh, well.
It’s all potential fodder for conservation over libations. Drink up! There’s only one more Pope to go.
(Image by Ken30684 - Creative Commons)
