# Does the Vatican actually believe in the 'Prophecy of the Popes'? (and other fun questions!)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-vatican-actually-believe-in-the-prophecy-of-the-popes-and-other-fun-questions/650028>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [February 11, 2013, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-vatican-actually-believe-in-the-prophecy-of-the-popes-and-other-fun-questions/650028 "2013-02-11T22:02:05Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![sqweels](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f19dbf/32.png) [@sqweels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sqweels)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-vatican-actually-believe-in-the-prophecy-of-the-popes-and-other-fun-questions/650028/21 "2013-02-13T19:02:46Z")

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Right on schedule, this turned up in my inbox:

> [@](#):
>
> Lightning strikes St Peters Basilica moments after 7th king abdicates Papal throne on anniversary of signing of Lateran Treaty!
> 
> Yesterday was the anniversary of the signing of the Lateran Treaty pacts, signed on Feb 11, 1929, between Mussolini and the first of the last seven popes, Pope Pius XI, re-establishing the Papacy as a sovereign nation and effectively giving the title of ‘King’ back to the pope. The papal faithful call Feb.11 “Independence Day”… and yesterday on that anniversary, Pope Benedict officially abdicated the throne of Rome. Just after the pope resigned, lightning struck the pinnacle of the dome of St Peters Basilica. This was sign from God.
> 
> This is SPECTACULAR!!! We are seeing prophecy unfold before us!
> 
> The seventh king “must remain a short time” Rev 17:10. Since Popes traditionally leave only by death and this is the first in 600 years leaving office alive, he must remain alive for a short time after leaving, thus allowing the eighth king to come while he is yet alive, and this is the fulfillment of this prophecy I am sure of it. If there is a better conclusion it has not availed itself to my heart yet but I am encouraged in this line of thought by the still small voice!
> 
> It is soon coming time to proclaim a solemn assembly and a fast. We need to rend our hearts to make sure we are ready for what is about to take the world by storm.
> 
> [Who is the Anti-Christ? The Eighth King of Revelation 17!: A Prophetic study of the Seven heads of Revelation 17.](http://eighthking.blogspot.com/2011/12/whos-is-anti-christ-eighth-king-of-rev.html)

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**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-vatican-actually-believe-in-the-prophecy-of-the-popes-and-other-fun-questions/650028/22 "2013-02-13T19:14:17Z")

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> [@Peremensoe](#):
>
> “The city of seven hills will be destroyed” is pretty unambiguous. :eek:

Are we sure about that?

> **[List of cities claimed to be built on seven hills](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_claimed_to_be_built_on_seven_hills)**
>
> The title City of Seven Hills usually refers to Rome, which was founded on seven hills. However, there are many other cities that make the same claim.

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