Prophecy of the Popes - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

The Prophecy of the Popes, attributed to Saint Malachy

Saint Malachy

Saint Malachy was the Archbishop of Armagh, to whom were attributed several miracles and a vision of the identity of the last 112 Popes...

, is a list of 112 short phrases in Latin. They purport to describe each of the Roman Catholic pope

Pope

The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...

s (along with a few anti-popes), beginning with Pope Celestine II

Pope Celestine II

Pope Celestine II , born Guido di Castello, was pope from 1143 to 1144.-Early life:Guido di Castello, possibly the son of a local noble, Niccolo di Castello, was born either in Città di Castello, situated in Paterna Santa Felicita upon the Apennines, or at Macerata in the March of Ancona.Guido had...

(elected in 1143) and concluding with the successor of current pope Benedict XVI, a pope described in the prophecy

Prophecy

Prophecy is a process in which one or more messages that have been communicated to a prophet are then communicated to others. Such messages typically involve divine inspiration, interpretation, or revelation of conditioned events to come as well as testimonies or repeated revelations that the...

as "Peter the Roman", whose pontificate will end in the destruction of the city of Rome

Rome

Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...

Provenance

The prophecy was first published in 1595 by Arnold de Wyon, a Benedictine

Benedictine

Benedictine refers to the spirituality and consecrated life in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict, written by Benedict of Nursia in the sixth century for the cenobitic communities he founded in central Italy. The most notable of these is Monte Cassino, the first monastery founded by Benedict...

historian, as part of his book Lignum Vitæ. Wyon attributed the list to Saint Malachy

Saint Malachy

Saint Malachy was the Archbishop of Armagh, to whom were attributed several miracles and a vision of the identity of the last 112 Popes...

, the 12th‑century bishop of Armagh in Ireland

Ireland

Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...

. According to the traditional account, in 1139, Malachy was summoned to Rome by Pope Innocent II

Pope Innocent II

Pope Innocent II , born Gregorio Papareschi, was pope from 1130 to 1143, and was probably one of the clergy in personal attendance on the antipope Clement III .-Early years:...

. While in Rome, Malachy purportedly experienced a vision of future popes, which he recorded as a sequence of cryptic phrases. This manuscript was then deposited in the Roman Archive, and thereafter forgotten about until its rediscovery in 1590.

On the other hand, Bernard of Clairvaux

Bernard of Clairvaux

Bernard of Clairvaux, O.Cist was a French abbot and the primary builder of the reforming Cistercian order.After the death of his mother, Bernard sought admission into the Cistercian order. Three years later, he was sent to found a new abbey at an isolated clearing in a glen known as the Val...

's biography of Malachy makes no mention of the prophecy, nor is it mentioned in any record prior to its 1595 publication. Some sources, including the most recent editions of the Catholic Encyclopedia

Catholic Encyclopedia

The Catholic Encyclopedia, also referred to as the Old Catholic Encyclopedia and the Original Catholic Encyclopedia, is an English-language encyclopedia published in the United States. The first volume appeared in March 1907 and the last three volumes appeared in 1912, followed by a master index...

, suggest that the prophecy is a late 16th‑century forgery

Forgery

Forgery is the process of making, adapting, or imitating objects, statistics, or documents with the intent to deceive. Copies, studio replicas, and reproductions are not considered forgeries, though they may later become forgeries through knowing and willful misrepresentations. Forging money or...

. Some have suggested that it was created by Nostradamus

Nostradamus

Michel de Nostredame , usually Latinised to Nostradamus, was a French apothecary and reputed seer who published collections of prophecies that have since become famous worldwide. He is best known for his book Les Propheties , the first edition of which appeared in 1555...

and was credited to Saint Malachy so the purported seer would not be blamed for the destruction of the papacy. Supporters, such as author John Hogue, who wrote a popular book titled The Last Pope about the claims, generally argue that even if the author of the prophecies is uncertain, the predictions are still valid.

Interpretation

Interpretation of the mottos has generally relied on finding correspondences between the mottos and the popes' birthplaces, their personal arms

Heraldry

Heraldry is the profession, study, or art of creating, granting, and blazoning arms and ruling on questions of rank or protocol, as exercised by an officer of arms. Heraldry comes from Anglo-Norman herald, from the Germanic compound harja-waldaz, "army commander"...

, and the events of their pontificates. For example, the first motto, Ex castro Tiberis (From a castle on the Tiber), fits Pope Celestine II

Pope Celestine II

's birthplace in Città di Castello

Città di Castello

Città di Castello is a city and comune in the province of Perugia, in the northern part of the Umbria region of Italy. It is situated on a slope of the Apennines, on the flood plain of the river Tiber. The city is north of Perugia and south of Cesena on the S3bis. It is connected to the A1...

, on the Tiber

Tiber

The Tiber is the third-longest river in Italy, rising in the Apennine Mountains in Emilia-Romagna and flowing through Umbria and Lazio to the Tyrrhenian Sea. It drains a basin estimated at...

.

Pope Clement XIII

Pope Clement XIII

Pope Clement XIII , born Carlo della Torre di Rezzonico, was Pope from 16 July 1758 to 2 February 1769....

, referred to in the prophecy as Rosa Umbriae, the rose of Umbria

Umbria

Umbria is a region of modern central Italy. It is one of the smallest Italian regions and the only peninsular region that is landlocked.Its capital is Perugia.Assisi and Norcia are historical towns associated with St. Francis of Assisi, and St...

, is stated to have used a rose "as his personal emblem" (his coat of arms does not include one, however, nor was he from Umbria nor had any but the most marginal connection with the region, having been briefly pontifical governor of Rieti

Rieti

Rieti is a city and comune in Lazio, central Italy, with a population of c. 47,700. It is the capital of province of Rieti.The town centre rests on a small hilltop, commanding a wide plain at the southern edge of an ancient lake. The area is now the fertile basin of the Velino River...

, at the time part of Umbria). The technique of word play

Word play

Word play or wordplay is a literary technique in which the words that are used become the main subject of the work, primarily for the purpose of intended effect or amusement...

was evident in instances where interpreters find a phrase fitting more than one explanation.

It is notable that where the interpretation of the prophecy is clear (as is the case for almost all of the Popes prior to 1590), the reference is almost always to some characteristic possessed by the Pope prior to assuming the Papacy—e.g., his birthplace, his arms, his surname, or his cardinal see. However, for more recent Popes, efforts to connect the prophecy with the pope have often focused on the events of his pontificate.

In recent times, some interpreters of prophetic literature have drawn attention to the prophecies, both because of their success in finding connections between the prophecies and recent popes, and because of the prophecies' imminent conclusion. Interpretations made before the elections of recent popes have not generally predicted their papacies accurately.

Popes and corresponding mottos

This list, adapted from The Prophecies of St. Malachy by Peter Bander, begins its numbering two numbers ahead of the Vatican's numbering of popes (Benedict XVI is the 265th, not the 267th). The reason for this is unclear (perhaps because of the two purported "anti-popes").

The list can be divided into two groups; one of the 74 Popes and Antipopes who reigned prior to the appearance of the Prophecy in 1590, for whom the connection between the motto and the Pope is usually clear but can be seen as Postdiction

Postdiction

According to critics of paranormal beliefs, postdiction is an effect of hindsight bias that explains claimed predictions of significant events, such as plane crashes and natural disasters...

. The other is of the 37 Popes who have reigned since 1590, for whom the connection between the motto and the Pope is often strained or totally opaque and but can be seen as Shoehorning

Shoehorning

Shoehorning is a ploy used by psychics, or religious apologetic or other charlatans, as a way to make it sound like their prophecies or those of earlier prophets had come true. The word is derived from shoehorn, a smooth curved implement, often of plastic or metal, inserted at the heel to help put...

Popes and Antipopes 1143–1590

The text on the silver lines below reproduces the original text (including punctuation and orthography) of the 1595 Lignum Vitae, which consisted of three parallel columns for the Popes before 1590. The first column contained the motto, the second the name of the Pope or Antipope to whom it was attached (with occasional errors), and the third an attempted explanation or justification of the name. The original list was unnumbered.

Pre-appearance Popes (1143–1590)
Pope No.	Motto (Translation)	Regnal Name (Reign)	Name	Historical Reference or Explanation	Coat of Arms
Ex caſtro Tiberis.		Cœleſtinus. ij.		Typhernas.
167	1. From a castle of the Tiber	Celestine II Pope Celestine II Pope Celestine II , born Guido di Castello, was pope from 1143 to 1144.-Early life:Guido di Castello, possibly the son of a local noble, Niccolo di Castello, was born either in Città di Castello, situated in Paterna Santa Felicita upon the Apennines, or at Macerata in the March of Ancona.Guido had... (1143–1144)	Guido de Castello	An inhabitant of Tifernum. Born in Città di Castello Città di Castello Città di Castello is a city and comune in the province of Perugia, in the northern part of the Umbria region of Italy. It is situated on a slope of the Apennines, on the flood plain of the river Tiber. The city is north of Perugia and south of Cesena on the S3bis. It is connected to the A1... , Umbria Umbria Umbria is a region of modern central Italy. It is one of the smallest Italian regions and the only peninsular region that is landlocked.Its capital is Perugia.Assisi and Norcia are historical towns associated with St. Francis of Assisi, and St... , on the banks of the Tiber Tiber The Tiber is the third-longest river in Italy, rising in the Apennine Mountains in Emilia-Romagna and flowing through Umbria and Lazio to the Tyrrhenian Sea. It drains a basin estimated at... .
Inimicus expulſus.		Lucius. ij.		De familia Caccianemica.
168	2. Enemy expelled	Lucius II Pope Lucius II Pope Lucius II , born Gherardo Caccianemici dal Orso, was pope from March 9, 1144, until his death Feb 15, 1145. His pontificate was notable for the unrest in Rome associated with the Commune of Rome, and its attempts to wrest control of the city from the papacy.-Early life:Gherardo Caccianemici... (1144–1145)	Gherardo Caccianemici del Orso	Of the Caccianemici family. This motto refers to Gherardo Caccianemici’s surname. “Cacciare” means “to hunt”, and “nemici” is the Italian word for “enemies”. As his name foreshadowed, Caccianemici would be driven from Rome by his own subjects.
Ex magnitudine mõtis.		Eugenius. iij.		Patria Ethruſcus oppido Montis magni.
169	3. Out of the greatness of the mountain	Eugene III Pope Eugene III Pope Blessed Eugene III , born Bernardo da Pisa, was Pope from 1145 to 1153. He was the first Cistercian to become Pope.-Early life:... (1145–1153)	Bernardo dei Pagnelli di Montemagno	Tuscan by nation, from the town of Montemagno. The motto refers to Pope Eugene’s last name, “Montemagno.”
Abbas Suburranus.		Anaſtaſius. iiij.		De familia Suburra.
170	4. Suburran abbot	Anastasius IV Pope Anastasius IV Pope Anastasius IV , born Corrado Demetri della Suburra, was Pope from 1153 to 1154.-Early life:He was a Roman, son of Benedictus de Suburra, probably of the family of Demetri, and became a secular clerk. He was created cardinal-priest of S. Pudenziana by Pope Paschal II no later than in 1114... (1153–1154)	Corrado di Suburra	From the Suburra Suburra Suburra is an area of the city of Rome, Italy. In ancient Roman times, it was a crowded lower-class area that was also notorious as a red-light district. It lies in the dip between the southern end of the Viminal and the western end of the Esquiline hills... family.
De rure albo.		Adrianus. iiij.		Vilis natus in oppido Sancti Albani.
171	5. From the white countryside	Adrian IV Pope Adrian IV Pope Adrian IV , born Nicholas Breakspear or Breakspeare, was Pope from 1154 to 1159.Adrian IV is the only Englishman who has occupied the papal chair... (1154–1159)	Nicholas Breakspear	Humbly born in the town of St. Albans. Educated at the St Albans School St Albans School (Hertfordshire) St Albans School is an independent school in the city of St Albans in Hertfordshire, in the East of England. Entry before Sixth Form is for boys only, and co-educational thereafter. Founded in 948 by Wulsin , St Albans School is not only the oldest school in Hertfordshire but also one of the oldest... in Hertfordshire Hertfordshire Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and... . Nicholas Breakspear was the bishop of Albano before becoming pope.
Ex tetro carcere.		Victor. iiij.		Fuit Cardinalis S. Nicolai in carcere Tulliano.
	6. Out of a loathsome prison.	Victor IV Antipope Victor IV (1159-1164) Victor IV , born Octavian or Octavianus: Ottaviano dei Crescenzi Ottaviani di Monticelli, was the cardinal priest of Santa Cecilia before he was elected as a Ghibelline antipope in 1159, following the death of Pope Adrian IV and the election of Alexander III... , Antipope (1159–1164)	Ottaviano Monticello	He was a cardinal of St. Nicholas in the Tullian prison.
Via Tranſtiberina.		Calliſtus. iij. [sic]		Guido Cremenſis Cardinalis S. Mariæ Tranſtiberim.
	7. Road across the Tiber.	Paschal III Antipope Paschal III Antipope Paschal III was Antipope from 1164 to 20 September 1168.His real name was Guido of Crema. Paschal III was the second of the antipopes to challenge the reign of Pope Alexander III. In 1164, a small number of cardinals who had elected Victor IV met again to vote Paschal III as his successor... , Antipope (1164–1168)	Guido di Crema	Guido of Crema, Cardinal of St. Mary across the Tiber. As a cardinal, he had held the title of Santa Maria in Trastevere.
De Pannonia Thuſciæ.		Paſchalis. iij. [sic]		Antipapa. Hungarus natione, Epiſcopus Card. Tuſculanus.
	8. From Tusculan Hungary	Callixtus III Antipope Callixtus III Antipope Callixtus III or Callistus III was Antipope from September 1168 to 29 August 1178.His real name was Giovanni, Abbot of Struma... , Antipope (1168–1178)	Giovanni di Strumi	Antipope. A Hungarian by birth, Cardinal Bishop of Tusculum. He was John, Abbot of Struma Struma The Struma was a ship chartered to carry Jewish refugees from Axis-allied Romania to British-controlled Palestine during World War II. On February 23, 1942, with its engine inoperable and its refugee passengers aboard, Turkish authorities towed the ship from Istanbul harbor through the Bosphorus... , originally from Hungary.
Ex anſere cuſtode.		Alexander. iij.		De familia Paparona.
172	9. Out of the guardian goose	Alexander III Pope Alexander III Pope Alexander III , born Rolando of Siena, was Pope from 1159 to 1181. He is noted in history for laying the foundation stone for the Notre Dame de Paris.-Church career:... (1159–1181)	Orlando Bandinelli Paparoni	Of the Paparoni family. His family's coat of arms had a goose on it.
Lux in oſtio.		Lucius. iij.		Lucenſis Card. Oſtienſis.
173	10. A light in the entrance	Lucius III Pope Lucius III Pope Lucius III , born Ubaldo, was pope from 1 September 1181 to his death.A native of the independent republic of Lucca, he was born ca. 1100 as Ubaldo, son of Orlando. He is commonly referred to as a member of the aristocratic family of Allucingoli, but this is not proven... (1181–1185)	Ubaldo Allucingoli	A Lucca Lucca Lucca is a city and comune in Tuscany, central Italy, situated on the river Serchio in a fertile plainnear the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is the capital city of the Province of Lucca... n Cardinal of Ostia. In 1159, he became Cardinal Bishop of Ostia Bishop of Ostia The Bishop of Ostia is the head of the Suburbicarian Diocese of Ostia, one of the seven suburbicarian sees of Rome. The position is now attached to the post of Dean of the College of Cardinals, as it has been since 1150, with the actual governance of the diocese entrusted to the Vicar General of... . Lux may also be a wordplay on Lucius.
Sus in cribro.		Vrbanus. iij.		Mediolanenſis, familia cribella, quæ Suem pro armis gerit.
174	11. Pig in a sieve	Urban III Pope Urban III Pope Urban III , born Uberto Crivelli, was Pope from 1185 to 1187. He was made cardinal and archbishop of Milan by Pope Lucius III, whom he succeeded on November 25, 1185... (1185–1187)	Umberto Crivelli	A Milanese, of the Cribella (Crivelli) family, which bears a pig for arms. His family name Crivelli means "a sieve" in Italian.
Enſis Laurentii.		Gregorius. viij.		Card. S. Laurentii in Lucina, cuius inſignia enſes falcati.
175	12. The sword of St. Lawrence	Gregory VIII Pope Gregory VIII Pope Gregory VIII , born Alberto di Morra, was Pope from October 25, 1187 until his death.-Early life:... (1187)	Alberto De Morra	Cardinal of St. Lawrence in Lucina, of whom the arms were curved swords. He had been the Cardinal of St. Lawrence and his armorial bearing was a drawn sword.
De Schola exiet.		Clemens. iij.		Romanus, domo Scholari.
176	13 He will come from school	Clement III Pope Clement III Pope Clement III , born Paulino Scolari, was elected Pope on December 19, 1187 and reigned until his death.-Cardinal:... (1187–1191)	Paolo Scolari	A Roman, of the house of Scolari. His family name was Scolari.
De rure bouenſi.		Cœleſtinus. iij.		Familia Bouenſi.
177	14. From cattle country	Celestine III Pope Celestine III Pope Celestine III , born Giacinto Bobone, was elected Pope on March 21, 1191, and reigned until his death. He was born into the noble Orsini family in Rome, though he was only a cardinal deacon before becoming Pope... (1191–1198)	Giacinto Bobone	Bovensis (Bobone) family. He was from the Bobone family; a wordplay on cattle (boves).
Comes Signatus.		Innocentius. iij.		Familia Comitum Signiæ.
178	15. Designated count	Innocent III Pope Innocent III Pope Innocent III was Pope from 8 January 1198 until his death. His birth name was Lotario dei Conti di Segni, sometimes anglicised to Lothar of Segni.... (1198–1216)	Lotario dei Conti di Segni	Family of the Counts of Signia (Segni) Descendant of the Segni family.
Canonicus de latere.		Honorius. iij.		Familia Sabella, Canonicus S. Ioannis Lateranensis.
179	16. Canon from the side	Honorius III Pope Honorius III Pope Honorius III , previously known as Cencio Savelli, was Pope from 1216 to 1227.-Early work:He was born in Rome as son of Aimerico... (1216–1227)	Cencio Savelli	Savelli family, canon of St. John Lateran He was a canon for the church of Santa Maria Maggiore, and had served as papal chamberlain in 1188.
Auis Oſtienſis.		Gregorius. ix.		Familia Comitum Signiæ Epiſcopus Card. Oſtienſis.
180	17. Bird of Ostia	Gregory IX Pope Gregory IX Pope Gregory IX, born Ugolino di Conti, was pope from March 19, 1227 to August 22, 1241.The successor of Pope Honorius III , he fully inherited the traditions of Pope Gregory VII and of his uncle Pope Innocent III , and zealously continued their policy of Papal supremacy.-Early life:Ugolino was... (1227–1241)	Ugolino dei Conti di Segni	Family of the Counts of Segni, Cardinal Bishop of Ostia. Before his election to the papacy, Ugolino dei Conti was the Cardinal Bishop of Ostia Bishop of Ostia The Bishop of Ostia is the head of the Suburbicarian Diocese of Ostia, one of the seven suburbicarian sees of Rome. The position is now attached to the post of Dean of the College of Cardinals, as it has been since 1150, with the actual governance of the diocese entrusted to the Vicar General of... , and the family coat of arms bear a bird on a gules background.
Leo Sabinus.		Cœleſtinus iiij.		Mediolanenſis, cuius inſignia Leo, Epiſcopus Card. Sabinus.
181	18. Sabine Lion	Celestine IV Pope Celestine IV Pope Celestine IV , born Goffredo da Castiglione, was pope from October 25, 1241 to November 10, 1241.Born in Milan, Goffredo or Godfrey is often referred to as son of a sister of Pope Urban III , but this information is without foundation... (1241)	Goffredo Castiglioni	A Milanese, whose arms were a lion, Cardinal Bishop of Sabina. He was Cardinal Bishop of Sabina and his armorial bearing had a lion in it. Also a play on words, referring to the pope's last name, Castiglioni.
Comes Laurentius.		Innocentius iiij.		domo flisca, Comes Lauaniæ, Cardinalis S. Laurentii in Lucina.
182	19. Count Lawrence	Innocent IV Pope Innocent IV Pope Innocent IV , born Sinibaldo Fieschi, was pope from June 25, 1243 until his death in 1254.-Early life:... (1243–1254)	Sinibaldo Fieschi	Of the house of Flisca (Fieschi), Count of Lavagna, Cardinal of St. Lawrence in Lucina. He was the Cardinal-Priest of San Lorenzo in Lucca, and his father was the Count of Lavagna.
Signum Oſtienſe.		Alexander iiij.		De comitibus Signiæ, Epiſcopus Card. Oſtienſis.
183	20. Sign of Ostia	Alexander IV Pope Alexander IV Pope Alexander IV was Pope from 1254 until his death.Born as Rinaldo di Jenne, in Jenne , he was, on his mother's side, a member of the de' Conti di Segni family, the counts of Segni, like Pope Innocent III and Pope Gregory IX... (1254–1261)	Renaldo dei Signori di Ienne	Of the counts of Segni, Cardinal Bishop of Ostia. He was Cardinal Bishop of Ostia Bishop of Ostia The Bishop of Ostia is the head of the Suburbicarian Diocese of Ostia, one of the seven suburbicarian sees of Rome. The position is now attached to the post of Dean of the College of Cardinals, as it has been since 1150, with the actual governance of the diocese entrusted to the Vicar General of... and member of the Conti-Segni family.
Hieruſalem Campanię.		Vrbanus iiii.		Gallus, Trecenſis in Campania, Patriarcha Hieruſalem.
184	21. Jerusalem of Champagne	Urban IV Pope Urban IV Pope Urban IV , born Jacques Pantaléon, was Pope, from 1261 to 1264. He was not a cardinal, and there have been several Popes since him who have not been Cardinals, including Urban V and Urban VI.-Biography:... (1261–1264)	Jacques Pantaleon	A Frenchman, of Trecae (Troyes) in Champagne, Patriarch of Jerusalem. Native of Troyes Troyes Troyes is a commune and the capital of the Aube department in north-central France. It is located on the Seine river about southeast of Paris. Many half-timbered houses survive in the old town... , Champagne Champagne (province) The Champagne wine region is a historic province within the Champagne administrative province in the northeast of France. The area is best known for the production of the sparkling white wine that bears the region's name... , later patriarch of Jerusalem.
Draco depreſſus.		Clemens iiii.		cuius inſignia Aquila vnguibus Draconem tenens.
185	22. Dragon pressed down	Clement IV Pope Clement IV Pope Clement IV , born Gui Faucoi called in later life le Gros , was elected Pope February 5, 1265, in a conclave held at Perugia that took four months, while cardinals argued over whether to call in Charles of Anjou, the youngest brother of Louis IX of France... (1265–1268)	Guido Fulcodi	Whose badge is an eagle holding a dragon in his talons. His coat of arms had an eagle crushing a dragon.
Anguinus uir.		Gregorius. x.		Mediolanenſis, Familia vicecomitum, quæ anguẽ pro inſigni gerit.
186	23. Snaky man	Gregory X Pope Gregory X Pope Blessed Gregory X , born Tebaldo Visconti, was Pope from 1271 to 1276. He was elected by the papal election, 1268–1271, the longest papal election in the history of the Roman Catholic Church.... (1271–1276)	Tebaldo Visconti	A Milanese, of the family of Viscounts (Visconti), which bears a snake for arms. The Visconti coat of arms had a large serpent devouring a male child feet first.
Concionator Gallus.		Innocentius. v.		Gallus, ordinis Prædicatorum.
187	24. French Preacher	Innocent V Pope Innocent V Pope Blessed Innocent V , born Pierre de Tarentaise, was Pope from January 21 to June 22, 1276.He was born around 1225 near Moûtiers in the Tarentaise region of the County of Savoy, then part of the Kingdom of Arles in the Holy Roman Empire, but now in southeastern France... (1276)	Pierre de Tarentaise	A Frenchman, of the Order of Preachers. He was born in south-eastern France and was a member of the order of Preachers.
Bonus Comes.		Adrianus. v.		Ottobonus familia Fliſca ex comitibus Lauaniæ.
188	25. Good Count/companion	Adrian V Pope Adrian V Pope Adrian V , born Ottobuono de' Fieschi, was pope in 1276.-Biography:Ottobuono belonged to a feudal family of Liguria, the Fieschi, Counts of Lavagna.... (1276)	Ottobono Fieschi	Ottobono, of the Fieschi family, from the counts of Lavagna. He was a count and a wordplay on "good" can be made with his name, Ottobono.
Piſcator Thuſcus.		Ioannes. xxi.		antea Ioannes Petrus Epiſcopus Card. Tuſculanus.
189	26. Tuscan Fisherman	John XXI Pope John XXI Pope John XXI, , born Pedro Julião Pope John XXI, , born Pedro Julião Pope John XXI, , born Pedro Julião (Latin, Petrus Iulianus (c. 1215 – May 20, 1277), a Portuguese also called Pedro Hispano (Latin, Petrus Hispanus; English, Peter of Spain), was Pope from 1276 until his death about eight... (1276–1277)	Pedro Julião	Formerly John Peter, Cardinal Bishop of Tusculum. John XXI had been the Cardinal Bishop of Tusculum.
Roſa compoſita.		Nicolaus. iii.		Familia Vrſina, quæ roſam in inſigni gerit, dictus compoſitus.
190	27. Composite Rose	Nicholas III Pope Nicholas III Pope Nicholas III , born Giovanni Gaetano Orsini, Pope from November 25, 1277 to his death in 1280, was a Roman nobleman who had served under eight Popes, been made cardinal-deacon of St... (1277–1280)	Giovanni Gaetano Orsini	Of the Ursina (Orsini) family, which bears a rose on its arms, called 'composite'. He bore a rose in his coat of arms.
Ex teloneo liliacei Martini.		Martinus. iiii.		cuius inſignia lilia, canonicus, & theſaurarius S. Martini Turonen[sis].
191	28. From the tollhouse of lilied Martin	Martin IV Pope Martin IV Pope Martin IV, born Simon de Brion held the papacy from February 21, 1281 until his death.... (1281–1285)	Simone de Brion	Whose arms were lilies, canon and treasurer of St. Martin of Tours. He was Canon and Treasurer at the Church of St. Martin in Tours Tours Tours is a city in central France, the capital of the Indre-et-Loire department.It is located on the lower reaches of the river Loire, between Orléans and the Atlantic coast. Touraine, the region around Tours, is known for its wines, the alleged perfection of its local spoken French, and for the... , France.
Ex roſa leonina.		Honorius. iiii.		Familia Sabella inſignia roſa à leonibus geſtata.
192	29. Out of the leonine rose	Honorius IV Pope Honorius IV Pope Honorius IV , born Giacomo Savelli, was Pope for two years from 1285 to 1287. During his unremarkable pontificate he largely continued to pursue the pro-French policy of his predecessor, Pope Martin IV... (1285–1287)	Giacomo Savelli	Of the Sabella (Savelli) family, arms were a rose carried by lions. His coat of arms were emblazoned with two lions supporting a rose.
Picus inter eſcas.		Nicolaus. iiii.		Picenus patria Eſculanus.
193	30. Woodpecker between food	Nicholas IV Pope Nicholas IV Pope Nicholas IV , born Girolamo Masci, was Pope from February 22, 1288 to April 4, 1292. A Franciscan friar, he had been legate to the Greeks under Pope Gregory X in 1272, succeeded Bonaventure as Minister General of his religious order in 1274, was made Cardinal Priest of Santa Prassede and... (1288–1292)	Girolamo Masci	A Picene Picenum Picenum was a region of ancient Italy. The name is an exonym assigned by the Romans, who conquered and incorporated it into the Roman Republic. Picenum was the birthplace of such notables as Pompey the Great and his father Pompeius Strabo. It was situated in what is now Marche... by nation, of Asculum (Ascoli). He was from Ascoli, now called Ascoli Piceno Ascoli Piceno Ascoli Piceno is a town and comune in the Marche region of Italy, capital of the province of the same name. Its population is c. 51,400.-Geography:... , in Picene country.
Ex eremo celſus.		Cœleſtinus. v.		Vocatus Petrus de morrone Eremita.
194	31. Raised out of the desert	St. Celestine V Pope Celestine V Pope Saint Celestine V, born Pietro Angelerio , also known as Pietro da Morrone was elected pope in the year 1294, by the papal election of 1292–1294, the last non-conclave in the history of the Roman Catholic Church... (1294)	Pietro Di Murrone	Called Peter de Morrone, a hermit. Prior to his election he was a hermit (eremita, literally a dweller in the eremus, or desert). Also a play on words (celsus/Coelestinus), referring to the pope's chosen name Celestine.
Ex undarũ bn̑dictione.		Bonifacius. viii.		Vocatus prius Benedictus, Caetanus, cuius inſignia undæ.
195	32. From the blessing of the waves	Boniface VIII Pope Boniface VIII Pope Boniface VIII , born Benedetto Gaetani, was Pope of the Catholic Church from 1294 to 1303. Today, Boniface VIII is probably best remembered for his feuds with Dante, who placed him in the Eighth circle of Hell in his Divina Commedia, among the Simonists.- Biography :Gaetani was born in 1235 in... (1294–1303)	Benedetto Caetani	Previously called Benedict, of Gaeta Gaeta Gaeta is a city and comune in the province of Latina, in Lazio, central Italy. Set on a promontory stretching towards the Gulf of Gaeta, it is 120 km from Rome and 80 km from Naples.... , whose arms were waves. His coat of arms had a wave through it. Also a play on words, referring to the pope's Christian name, "Benedetto."
Concionator patereus. [sic]		Benedictus. xi.		qui uocabatur Frater Nicolaus, ordinis Prædicatorum.
196	33. Preacher From Patara	Benedict XI Pope Benedict XI Blessed Pope Benedict XI , born Nicola Boccasini, was Pope from 1303 to 1304.Born in Treviso, he succeeded Pope Boniface VIII , but was unable to carry out his policies... (1303–1304)	Nicholas Boccasini	Who was called Brother Nicholas, of the order of Preachers. This Pope belonged to the Order of Preachers. Patara was the hometown of Saint Nicholas Saint Nicholas Saint Nicholas , also called Nikolaos of Myra, was a historic 4th-century saint and Greek Bishop of Myra . Because of the many miracles attributed to his intercession, he is also known as Nikolaos the Wonderworker... , a namesake of this Pope (born Nicholas Boccasini).
De feſſis aquitanicis.		Clemens V.		natione aquitanus, cuius inſignia feſſæ erant.
197	34. From the misfortunes/fesses of Aquitaine	Clement V Pope Clement V Pope Clement V, born Raymond Bertrand de Got was Pope from 1305 to his death... (1305–1314)	Bertrand de Got	An Aquitanian by birth, whose arms were fesses. He was a native of St. Bertrand de Comminges in Aquitaine Aquitaine Aquitaine , archaic Guyenne/Guienne , is one of the 27 regions of France, in the south-western part of metropolitan France, along the Atlantic Ocean and the Pyrenees mountain range on the border with Spain. It comprises the 5 departments of Dordogne, :Lot et Garonne, :Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Landes... , and eventually became Archbishop of Bordeaux Bordeaux Bordeaux is a port city on the Garonne River in the Gironde department in southwestern France.The Bordeaux-Arcachon-Libourne metropolitan area, has a population of 1,010,000 and constitutes the sixth-largest urban area in France. It is the capital of the Aquitaine region, as well as the prefecture... , also in Aquitaine. His coat of arms displays three horizontal bars, known in heraldry Heraldry Heraldry is the profession, study, or art of creating, granting, and blazoning arms and ruling on questions of rank or protocol, as exercised by an officer of arms. Heraldry comes from Anglo-Norman herald, from the Germanic compound harja-waldaz, "army commander"... as fess Fess In heraldry, a fess or fesse is a charge on a coat of arms that takes the form of a band running horizontally across the centre of the shield. Writers disagree in how much of the shield's surface is to be covered by a fess or other ordinary, ranging from one-fifth to one-third... es.
De ſutore oſſeo.		Ioannes XXII.		Gallus, familia Oſſa, Sutoris filius.
198	35. From a bony cobbler	John XXII Pope John XXII Pope John XXII , born Jacques Duèze , was pope from 1316 to 1334. He was the second Pope of the Avignon Papacy , elected by a conclave in Lyon assembled by Philip V of France... (1316–1334)	Jacques Duese	A Frenchman, of the Ossa family, son of a cobbler. His family name was Duèze, D'Euze, D'Euzes, or Euse, the last of which might be back-translated into Latin as Ossa "bones". The popular legend that his father was a cobbler is probably untrue.
Coruus ſchiſmaticus.		Nicolaus V.		qui uocabatur F. Petrus de corbario, contra Ioannem XXII. Antipapa Minorita.
	36. Schismatic crow	Nicholas V Antipope Nicholas V Nicholas V, born Pietro Rainalducci was an antipope in Italy from 12 May 1328 to 25 July 1330 during the pontificate of Pope John XXII at Avignon. He was the last Imperial antipope, that is, set up by a Holy Roman Emperor.-Life:Rainalducci was born at Corvaro, an ancient stronghold near Rieti in... , Antipope (1328–1330)	Pietro Rainalducci di Corvaro	Who was called Brother Peter of Corbarium (Corvaro), the Minorite antipope opposing John XXII. The motto is a play on words, referring to Pietro di Corvaro's last name.
Frigidus Abbas.		Benedictus XII.		Abbas Monaſterii fontis frigidi.
199	37. Cold abbot	Benedict XII Pope Benedict XII Pope Benedict XII , born Jacques Fournier, the third of the Avignon Popes, was Pope from 1334 to 1342.-Early life:... (1334–1342)	Jacques Fournier	Abbot of the monastery of the cold spring. He was an abbot in the monastery of Fontfroide Fontfroide Abbey Fontfroide Abbey or l'Abbaye Sainte-Marie de Fontfroide is a former Cistercian monastery in France, situated 15 kilometers south-west of Narbonne near to the Spanish border.... ("cold spring").
De roſa Attrebatenſi.		Clemens VI.		Epiſcopus Attrebatenſis, cuius inſignia Roſæ.
200	38. From the rose of Arras	Clement VI Pope Clement VI Pope Clement VI , bornPierre Roger, the fourth of the Avignon Popes, was pope from May 1342 until his death in December of 1352... (1342–1352)	Pierre Roger	Bishop of Arras, whose arms were roses. He was Bishop of Arras, (Latin: Episcopus Atrebatensis), and his armorial bearings were emblazoned with six roses.
De mõtibus Pãmachii.		Innocentius VI.		Cardinalis SS. Ioannis & Pauli. T. Panmachii, cuius inſignia ſex montes erant.
201	39. From the mountains of Pammachius	Innocent VI Pope Innocent VI Pope Innocent VI , born Étienne Aubert; his father was Adhemar Aubert seigneur de Montel-De-Gelas in Limousin province. His niece was Catherine Aubert, Dame de Boutheon, also the wife of Randon II baron de Joyeuse; she is La Fayette's ancestor... (1352–1362)	Etienne Aubert	Cardinal of Saints John and Paul, Titulus of Pammachius, whose arms were six mountains. Pope Innocent was born at Mont in the diocese of Limoges, France, and he rose to prominence as the Bishop of Clermont. He had been a cardinal priest with the title of St. Pammachius (i.e., the church of SS. Giovanni e Paolo in Rome)
Gallus Vicecomes.		Vrbanus V.		nuncius Apoſtolicus ad Vicecomites Mediolanenſes.
202	40. French viscount	Urban V Pope Urban V Pope Urban V , born Guillaume Grimoard, was Pope from 1362 to 1370.-Biography:Grimoard was a native of Grizac in Languedoc . He became a Benedictine and a doctor in Canon Law, teaching at Montpellier and Avignon... (1362–1370)	Guglielmo De Grimoard	Apostolic nuncio Nuncio Nuncio is an ecclesiastical diplomatic title, derived from the ancient Latin word, Nuntius, meaning "envoy." This article addresses this title as well as derived similar titles, all within the structure of the Roman Catholic Church... to the Viscounts of Milan. He was born of a noble French family.
Nouus de uirgine forti.		Gregorius XI.		qui uocabatur Petrus Belfortis, Cardinalis S. Mariæ nouæ.
203	41. New man from the strong virgin	Gregory XI Pope Gregory XI Gregory XI was pope from 1370 until his death.-Biography:He was born Pierre Roger de Beaufort, in Maumont, in the modern commune of Rosiers-d'Égletons, Limousin around 1336. He succeeded Pope Urban V in 1370, and was pope until 1378... (1370–1378)	Pierre Roger de Beaufort	Who was called Peter Belfortis (Beaufort), Cardinal of New St. Mary's. From the Beaufort family and Cardinal of Santa Maria Nuova
Decruce Apoſtolica. [sic]		Clemens VII.		qui fuit Preſbyter Cardinalis SS. XII. Apoſtolorũ cuius inſignia Crux.
	42. From the apostolic cross	Clement VII Antipope Clement VII Robert of Geneva was elected to the papacy as Pope Clement VII by the French cardinals who opposed Urban VI, and was the first Avignon antipope of the Western Schism.-Biography:... , Antipope (1378–1394)	Robert, Count of Geneva	Who was Cardinal Priest of the Twelve Holy Apostles, whose arms were a cross. His coat of arms showed a cross, quarterly pierced.
Luna Coſmedina.		Benedictus XIII.		antea Petrus de Luna, Diaconus Cardinalis S. Mariæ in Coſmedin.
	43. Cosmedine moon.	Benedict XIII Antipope Benedict XIII Benedict XIII, born Pedro Martínez de Luna y Pérez de Gotor , known as in Spanish, was an Aragonese nobleman, who is officially considered by the Catholic Church to be an antipope.... , Antipope (1394–1423)	Peter de Luna	Formerly Peter de Luna, Cardinal Deacon of St. Mary in Cosmedin. He was the famous Peter de Luna, Cardinal of Santa Maria in Cosmedin Santa Maria in Cosmedin The Basilica of Saint Mary in Cosmedin is a minor basilica church in Rome, Italy. It is located in the rione of Ripa.- History :The church was built in the 8th century during the Byzantine Papacy over the remains of the Templum Herculis Pompeiani in the Forum Boarium and of the Statio annonae, one... .
Schiſma Barchinoniũ.		Clemens VIII.		Antipapa, qui fuit Canonicus Barchinonenſis.
	44. Schism of the Barcelonas	Clement VIII Antipope Clement VIII Clement VIII was one of the antipopes of the Avignon line, reigning from 10 June 1423 to 26 July 1429. He was born between 1369–1370, as Gil Sanchez Muñoz y Carbón, and died on 28 December 1446.... , Antipope (1423–1429)	Gil Sanchez Muñoz	Antipope, who was a canon of Barcelona.
De inferno prægnãti.		Vrbanus VI.		Neapolitanus Pregnanus, natus in loco quæ dicitur Infernus.
204	45. From a pregnant hell.	Urban VI Pope Urban VI Pope Urban VI , born Bartolomeo Prignano, was Pope from 1378 to 1389.-Biography:Born in Itri, he was a devout monk and learned casuist, trained at Avignon. On March 21, 1364, he was consecrated Archbishop of Acerenza in the Kingdom of Naples... (1378–1389)	Bartolomeo Prignano	The Neapolitan Prignano, born in a place which is called Inferno. His family name was Prignano or Prignani, and he was native to a place called Inferno near Naples.
Cubus de mixtione.		Bonifacius. IX.		familia tomacella à Genua Liguriæ orta, cuius inſignia Cubi.
205	46. Cube from a mixture	Boniface IX Pope Boniface IX Pope Boniface IX , born Piero Tomacelli, was the second Roman Pope of the Western Schism from November 2, 1389, until October 1, 1404... (1389–1404)	Pietro Tomacelli	Of the Tomacelli family, born in Genoa in Liguria, whose arms were cubes. His coat of arms includes a bend checky — a wide stripe with a checkerboard pattern.
De meliore ſydere.		Innocentius. VII.		uocatus Coſmatus de melioratis Sulmonenſis, cuius inſignia ſydus.
206	47. From a better star	Innocent VII Pope Innocent VII Pope Innocent VII , born Cosimo de' Migliorati, was briefly Pope at Rome, from 1404 to his death, during the Western Schism while there was a rival Pope, antipope Benedict XIII , at Avignon.Migliorati was born to a simple family of Sulmona in the Abruzzi... (1404–1406)	Cosmo Migliorati	Called Cosmato dei Migliorati of Sulmo Sulmona thumb\|150px\|Celestine V's hermitage and the remains of the Shrine of Hercules Curinus.thumb\|150px\|Palazzo SS. Annunziata and Museo Civicothumb\|150px\|Church of SS... , whose arms were a star. The prophecy is a play on words, "better" (melior) referring to the pope's last name, Migliorati (Meliorati). There is a shooting star on his coat of arms.
Nauta de Ponte nigro.		Gregorius XII.		Venetus, commendatarius eccleſiæ Nigropontis.
207	48. Sailor from a black bridge	Gregory XII Pope Gregory XII Pope Gregory XII , born Angelo Correr or Corraro, Pope from 1406 to 1415, succeeded Pope Innocent VII on 30 November 1406.... (1406–1415)	Angelo Correr	A Venetian, commendatary In Commendam In canon law, commendam was a form of transferring an ecclesiastical benefice in trust to the custody of a patron... of the church of Negroponte Euboea Euboea is the second largest Greek island in area and population, after Crete. The narrow Euripus Strait separates it from Boeotia in mainland Greece. In general outline it is a long and narrow, seahorse-shaped island; it is about long, and varies in breadth from to... . Was Bishop of Venice and the Bishop of Chalcice, Chalcice being located on the Isle of Negropont
Flagellum ſolis.		Alexander. V.		Græcus Archiepiſcopus Mediolanenſis, inſignia Sol.
	49. Whip of the sun	Alexander V Antipope Alexander V Alexander V was antipope during the Western Schism . He reigned from June 26, 1409, to his death in 1410 and is officially regarded by the Roman Catholic Church as an antipope.... , Antipope (1409–1410)	Petros Philarges	A Greek, Archbishop of Milan, whose arms were a sun. His coat of arms had a large sun on it. Also, a play on words, referring to the pope's last name, "Philarges."
Ceruus Sirenæ.		Ioannes XXIII.		Diaconus Cardinalis S. Euſtachii, qui cum ceruo depingitur, Bononiæ legatus, Neapolitanus.
	50. Stag of the siren	John XXIII Antipope John XXIII Baldassarre Cossa was Pope John XXIII during the Western Schism. The Catholic Church regards him as an antipope.-Biography:... , Antipope (1410–1415)	Baldassarre Cossa	Cardinal Deacon of St. Eustace, who is depicted with a stag; legate of Bologna, a Neapolitan. Baldassarre Cossa was a cardinal with the title of St. Eustachius Saint Eustace Saint Eustace, also known as Eustachius or Eustathius, was a legendary Christian martyr who lived in the 2nd century AD. A martyr of that name is venerated as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church, which, however, judges that the legend recounted about him is "completely fabulous." For that reason... . St. Eustachius converted to Christianity after he saw a stag with a cross between its horns. Baldassarre's family was originally from Naples, which has the emblem of the siren Siren In Greek mythology, the Sirens were three dangerous mermaid like creatures, portrayed as seductresses who lured nearby sailors with their enchanting music and voices to shipwreck on the rocky coast of their island. Roman poets placed them on an island called Sirenum scopuli... .
Corona ueli aurei.		Martinus V.		familia colonna, Diaconus Cardinalis S. Georgii ad velum aureum.
208	51. Crown of the golden curtain	Martin V Pope Martin V Pope Martin V , born Odo Colonna, was Pope from 1417 to 1431. His election effectively ended the Western Schism .-Biography:... (1417–1431)	Oddone Colonna	Of the Colonna family, Cardinal Deacon of St. George at the golden curtain. Oddone Colonna was the Cardinal Deacon of San Giorgio in Velabro. The word "Velabrum" is here interpreted as derived from "velum aureum", or golden veil. His coat of arms had a golden crown resting atop a column.
Lupa Cœleſtina,		Eugenius. IIII.		Venetus, canonicus antea regularis Cœleſtinus, & Epiſcopus Senẽſis.
209	52. Heavenly she-wolf	Eugene IV Pope Eugene IV Pope Eugene IV , born Gabriele Condulmer, was pope from March 3, 1431, to his death.-Biography:He was born in Venice to a rich merchant family, a Correr on his mother's side. Condulmer entered the Order of Saint Augustine at the monastery of St. George in his native city... (1431–1447)	Gabriele Condulmaro	A Venetian, formerly a regular Celestine canon, and Bishop of Siena. He belonged to the order of the Celestines and was the Bishop of Siena Siena Siena is a city in Tuscany, Italy. It is the capital of the province of Siena.The historic centre of Siena has been declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site. It is one of the nation's most visited tourist attractions, with over 163,000 international arrivals in 2008... which bears a she-wolf on its arms.
Amator Crucis.		Felix. V.		qui uocabatur Amadæus Dux Sabaudiæ, inſignia Crux.
	53. Lover of the cross	Felix V Antipope Felix V -External links:*... , Antipope (1439–1449)	Amadeus Duke of Savoy	Who was called Amadeus, Duke of Savoy, arms were a cross. He was previously the count of Savoy and therefore his coat of arms contained the cross of Savoy. Also, the prophecy is a play on words, referring to the antipope's Christian name, "Amadeus."
De modicitate Lunæ.		Nicolaus V.		Lunenſis de Sarzana, humilibus parentibus natus.
210	54. From the meanness of Luna	Nicholas V Pope Nicholas V Pope Nicholas V , born Tommaso Parentucelli, was Pope from March 6, 1447 to his death in 1455.-Biography:He was born at Sarzana, Liguria, where his father was a physician... (1447–1455)	Tommaso Parentucelli	A Lunese of Sarzana, born to humble parents. He was born in Sarzana Sarzana Sarzana is a town and comune in the Province of La Spezia, of Liguria, Italy, 15 km east of Spezia, on the railway to Pisa, at the point where the railway to Parma diverges to the north... in the diocese of Luni Luni, Italy Luni is a frazione of the comune of Ortonovo, province of La Spezia, in the easternmost end of the Liguria region of northern Italy... , the ancient name of which was Luna.
Bos paſcens.		Calliſtus. III.		Hiſpanus, cuius inſignia Bos paſcens.
211	55. Pasturing ox	Callixtus III Pope Callixtus III Pope Callixtus III , né Alfons de Borja, was Pope from April 8, 1455 to his death in 1458.-Biography:... (1455–1458)	Alfonso Borja	A Spaniard, whose arms were a pasturing ox. Alonso Borgia's coat of arms had a grazing ox.
De Capra & Albergo.		Pius. II.		Senenſis, qui fuit à Secretis Cardinalibus Capranico & Albergato.
212	56. From a nanny-goat and an inn	Pius II Pope Pius II Pope Pius II, born Enea Silvio Piccolomini was Pope from August 19, 1458 until his death in 1464. Pius II was born at Corsignano in the Sienese territory of a noble but decayed family... (1458–1464)	Enea Silvio de Piccolomini	A Sienese, who was secretary to Cardinals Capranicus and Albergatus. He had been secretary to Cardinal Domenico Capranica and Cardinal Albergatti before he was elected Pope.
De Ceruo & Leone.		Paulus. II.		Venetus, qui fuit Commendatarius eccleſiæ Ceruienſis, & Cardinalis tituli S. Marci.
213	57. From a stag and lion	Paul II Pope Paul II Pope Paul II , born Pietro Barbo, was pope from 1464 until his death in 1471.- Early life :He was born in Venice, and was a nephew of Pope Eugene IV , through his mother. His adoption of the spiritual career, after having been trained as a merchant, was prompted by his uncle's election as pope... (1464–1471)	Pietro Barbo	A Venetian, who was Commendatary In Commendam In canon law, commendam was a form of transferring an ecclesiastical benefice in trust to the custody of a patron... of the church of Cervia, and Cardinal of the title of St. Mark. Possibly refers to his Bishopric of Cervia Cervia Cervia is a town and comune in the province of Ravenna , central Italy.-History:Originally called Ficocle, it was probably of Greek origin and was located midway from current Cervia and Ravenna... (punning on cervus, "a stag") and his Cardinal title of St. Mark (symbolized by a winged lion).
Piſcator minorita.		Sixtus. IIII.		Piſcatoris filius, Franciſcanus.
214	58. Minorite fisherman	Sixtus IV Pope Sixtus IV Pope Sixtus IV , born Francesco della Rovere, was Pope from 1471 to 1484. His accomplishments as Pope included the establishment of the Sistine Chapel; the group of artists that he brought together introduced the Early Renaissance into Rome with the first masterpiece of the city's new artistic age,... (1471–1484)	Francesco Della Rovere	Son of a fisherman, Franciscan. He was born the son of a fisherman and a member of the Franciscans, also known as "Minorites".
Præcurſor Siciliæ.		Innocentius VIII.		qui uocabatur Ioãnes Baptiſta, & uixit in curia Alfonſi regis Siciliæ.
215	59. Forerunner of Sicily	Innocent VIII Pope Innocent VIII Pope Innocent VIII , born Giovanni Battista Cybo , was Pope from 1484 until his death.-Early years:Giovanni Battista Cybo was born at Genoa of Greek extraction... (1484–1492)	Giovanni Battista Cibò	Who was called John Baptist, and lived in the court of Alfonso, king of Sicily. Giovanni Battista Cibò was named after John the Baptist, the precursor of Christ. In his early years, Giovanni served as the Bishop of Molfetta in Sicily.
Bos Albanus in portu.		Alexander VI.		Epiſcopus Cardinalis Albanus & Portuenſis, cuius inſignia Bos.
216	60. Bull of Alba in the harbor	Alexander VI Pope Alexander VI Pope Alexander VI , born Roderic Llançol i Borja was Pope from 1492 until his death on 18 August 1503. He is one of the most controversial of the Renaissance popes, and his Italianized surname—Borgia—became a byword for the debased standards of the Papacy of that era, most notoriously the Banquet... (1492–1503)	Rodrigo de Borgia	Cardinal Bishop of Albano and Porto, whose arms were a bull. In 1456, he was made a Cardinal and he held the titles of Cardinal Bishop of Albano Albano Laziale Albano Laziale is a comune in the province of Rome, on the Alban Hills, in Latium, central Italy. It is also a suburb of Rome, which is 25 km distant. It is bounded by other communes of Castel Gandolfo, Rocca di Papa, Ariccia and Ardea. Located in the Castelli Romani area of Lazio... and Porto Portus Porto or Portus was a town in Lazio or Latium, just south of Rome, Italy. It was an ancient harbour on the right bank of the mouth of the Tiber.-Claudian phase:Rome's original harbour was Ostia... . Also, Pope Alexander had a red bull on his coat of arms
De paruo homine.		Pius. III.		Senenſis, familia piccolominea.
217	61. From a small man	Pius III Pope Pius III Pope Pius III , born Francesco Todeschini Piccolomini, was Pope from September 22 to October 18, 1503.-Career:... (1503)	Francesco Todeschini Piccolomini	A Sienese, of the Piccolomini family. His family name was Piccolomini, from piccolo "small" and uomo "man".
Fructus Iouis iuuabit.		Iulius. II.		Ligur, eius inſignia Quercus, Iouis arbor.
218	62. The fruit of Jupiter will help	Julius II Pope Julius II Pope Julius II , nicknamed "The Fearsome Pope" and "The Warrior Pope" , born Giuliano della Rovere, was Pope from 1503 to 1513... (1503–1513)	Giuliano Della Rovere	A Genoese, his arms were an oak, Jupiter's tree. On his arms was an oak tree, which was sacred to Jupiter. Pope Julius' family name, "Della Rovere," literally means "of the oak."
De craticula Politiana.		Leo. X.		filius Laurentii medicei, & ſcholaris Angeli Politiani.
219	63. From a Politian gridiron	Leo X Pope Leo X Pope Leo X , born Giovanni di Lorenzo de' Medici, was the Pope from 1513 to his death in 1521. He was the last non-priest to be elected Pope. He is known for granting indulgences for those who donated to reconstruct St. Peter's Basilica and his challenging of Martin Luther's 95 Theses... (1513–1521)	Giovanni de Medici	Son of Lorenzo de' Medici, and student of Angelo Poliziano. His educator and mentor was the distinguished humanist and scholar, Angelo Poliziano. The “Gridiron” is the motto evidently refers to St. Lawrence, who was martyred on a gridiron. This is a rather elliptical allusion to Lorenzo the Magnificent, who was Giovanni’s father.
Leo Florentius.		Adrian. VI.		Florẽtii filius, eius inſignia Leo.
220	64. Florentian lion	Adrian VI Pope Adrian VI Pope Adrian VI , born Adriaan Florenszoon Boeyens, served as Pope from 9 January 1522 until his death some 18 months later... (1522–1523)	Adriaen Florenszoon Boeyens	Son of Florentius, his arms were a lion. His coat of arms had two lions on it, and his name is sometimes given as Adriaan Florens, or other variants, from his father's first name Florens (Florentius).
Flos pilei ægri.		Clemens. VII.		Florentinus de domo medicea, eius inſignia pila, & lilia.
221	65. Flower of the sick man's pill	Clement VII Pope Clement VII Clement VII , born Giulio di Giuliano de' Medici, was a cardinal from 1513 to 1523 and was Pope from 1523 to 1534.-Early life:... (1523–1534)	Giulio de Medici	A Florentine of the Medicean house, his arms were pill-balls and lilies. The Medici coat of arms were emblazoned with six medical balls. One of these balls, the largest of the six, was emblazoned with the Florentine lily.
Hiacinthus medicorũ.		Paulus. III.		Farneſius, qui lilia pro inſignibus geſtat, & Card. fuit SS. Coſme, & Damiani.
222	66. Hyacinth of the physicians	Paul III Pope Paul III Pope Paul III , born Alessandro Farnese, was Pope of the Roman Catholic Church from 1534 to his death in 1549. He came to the papal throne in an era following the sack of Rome in 1527 and rife with uncertainties in the Catholic Church following the Protestant Reformation... (1534–1549)	Alessandro Farnese	Farnese, who bore lilies for arms, and was Cardinal of Saints Cosmas and Damian. Pope Paul's coat of arms were charged with six hyacinths.
De corona montana.		Iulius. III.		antea uocatus Ioannes Maria de monte.
223	67. From the mountainous crown	Julius III Pope Julius III Pope Julius III , born Giovanni Maria Ciocchi del Monte, was Pope from 7 February 1550 to 1555.... (1550–1555)	Giovanni Maria Ciocchi del Monte	Formerly called Giovanni Maria of the Mountain (de Monte) His coat of arms showed mountains and palm branches laid out in a pattern much like a crown.
Frumentum flocidum. [sic]		Marcellus. II.		cuius inſignia ceruus & frumẽtum, ideo floccidum, quod pauco tempore uixit in papatu.
224	68. Trifling grain	Marcellus II Pope Marcellus II Pope Marcellus II , born Marcello Cervini degli Spannochi, was Pope from 9 April 1555 to 1 May 1555, succeeding Pope Julius III. Before his accession as Pope he had been Cardinal-Priest of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme. He is the most recent Pope to choose to retain his birth name as his regnal name... (1555)	Marcello Cervini	Whose arms were a stag and grain; 'trifling', because he lived only a short time as pope. His coat of arms showed a stag and ears of wheat.
De fide Petri.		Paulus. IIII.		antea uocatus Ioannes Petrus Caraffa.
225	69. From Peter's faith	Paul IV Pope Paul IV Pope Paul IV, C.R. , né Giovanni Pietro Carafa, was Pope from 23 May 1555 until his death.-Early life:Giovanni Pietro Carafa was born in Capriglia Irpina, near Avellino, into a prominent noble family of Naples... (1555–1559)	Giovanni Pietro Caraffa	Formerly called John Peter Caraffa. He is said to have used his second Christian name Pietro.
Eſculapii pharmacum.		Pius. IIII.		antea dictus Io. Angelus Medices.
226	70. Aesculapius' medicine	Pius IV Pope Pius IV Pope Pius IV , born Giovanni Angelo Medici, was Pope from 1559 to 1565. He is notable for presiding over the culmination of the Council of Trent.-Biography:... (1559–1565)	Giovanni Angelo de Medici	Formerly called Giovanni Angelo Medici. His family name was Medici.
Angelus nemoroſus.		Pius. V.		Michael uocatus, natus in oppido Boſchi.
227	71. Angel of the grove	St. Pius V Pope Pius V Pope Saint Pius V , born Antonio Ghislieri , was Pope from 1566 to 1572 and is a saint of the Catholic Church. He is chiefly notable for his role in the Council of Trent, the Counter-Reformation, and the standardization of the Roman liturgy within the Latin Church... (1566–1572)	Antonio Michele Ghisleri	Called Michael, born in the town of Bosco. He was born in Bosco, (Lombardy Lombardy Lombardy is one of the 20 regions of Italy. The capital is Milan. One-sixth of Italy's population lives in Lombardy and about one fifth of Italy's GDP is produced in this region, making it the most populous and richest region in the country and one of the richest in the whole of Europe... ); the placename means grove. His name was 'Antonio Michele Ghisleri', and Michele relates to the archangel.
Medium corpus pilarũ.		Gregorius. XIII.		cuius inſignia medius Draco, Cardinalis creatus à Pio. IIII. qui pila in armis geſtabat.
228	72. Half body of the balls	Gregory XIII Pope Gregory XIII Pope Gregory XIII , born Ugo Boncompagni, was Pope from 1572 to 1585. He is best known for commissioning and being the namesake for the Gregorian calendar, which remains the internationally-accepted civil calendar to this date.-Youth:He was born the son of Cristoforo Boncompagni and wife Angela... (1572–1585)	Ugo Boncompagni	Whose arms were a half-dragon; a Cardinal created by Pius IV who bore balls in his arms. The "balls" in the motto refer to Pope Pius IV, who had made Gregory a cardinal. Pope Gregory had a dragon on his coat of arms with half a body.
Axis in medietate ſigni.		Sixtus. V.		qui axem in medio Leonis in armis geſtat.
229	73. Axle in the midst of a sign.	Sixtus V Pope Sixtus V Pope Sixtus V , born Felice Peretti di Montalto, was Pope from 1585 to 1590.-Early life:The chronicler Andrija Zmajević states that Felice's family originated from modern-day Montenegro... (1585–1590)	Felice Peretti	Who bears in his arms an axle in the middle of a lion. This is a rather straightforward description of the pope's coat of arms.
De rore cœli.		Vrbanus. VII.		qui fuit Archiepiſcopus Roſſanenſis in Calabria, ubi mãna colligitur.
230	74. From the dew of the sky	Urban VII Pope Urban VII Pope Urban VII , born Giovanni Battista Castagna, was Pope for thirteen days in September 1590. He was of Genoese origin, although born in Rome. He was created Cardinal-Priest of S. Marcello in 1584... (1590)	Giovanni Battista Castagna	Who was Archbishop of Rossano in Calabria, where manna is collected. He had been Archbishop of Rossano Rossano Rossano is a town and comune in Southern Italy, in the province of Cosenza . The city is situated on an eminence c. 3. km from the Gulf of Taranto. The town is known for its marble and alabaster quarries.... in Calabria Calabria Calabria , in antiquity known as Bruttium, is a region in southern Italy, south of Naples, located at the "toe" of the Italian Peninsula. The capital city of Calabria is Catanzaro.... where sap called "the dew of heaven" is gathered from trees.

Popes 1590 to present

For this group of Popes, the published text only provides names for the first three (i.e., those who were Popes between the appearance of the text in 1590, and its publication in 1595) and attempts no explanations.

Post-appearance Popes (1590–present)
Pope No.	Motto (Translation)	Regnal Name (Reign)	Name	Historical Reference or Explanation	Coat of Arms
Ex antiquitate Vrbis.		Gregorius. XIIII.
231	75 Of the antiquity of the city	Gregory XIV Pope Gregory XIV Pope Gregory XIV , born Niccolò Sfondrati, was Pope from 5 December 1590 until his death in 1591.- Early career :... (1590–1591)	Niccolo Sfondrati	His father was a senator of the ancient city of Milan. The word "senator" is derived from the Latin word "senex", meaning old man.
Pia ciuitas in bello.		Innocentius. IX.
232	76 Pious city in war	Innocent IX Pope Innocent IX Pope Innocent IX , born Giovanni Antonio Facchinetti, was Pope from 29 October 1591 to his death on 30 December of the same year... (1591)	Giovanni Antonio Facchinetti	He was the Patriarch of Jerusalem before succeeding to the Papacy.
Crux Romulea.		Clemens. VIII.
233	77 Cross of Romulus	Clement VIII Pope Clement VIII Pope Clement VIII , born Ippolito Aldobrandini, was Pope from 30 January 1592 to 3 March 1605.-Cardinal:... (1592–1605)	Ippolito Aldobrandini	He had been a cardinal with the title of Saint Pancratius. Saint Pancratius was a Roman martyr.
Vndoſus uir.
234	78 Wavy man	Leo XI Pope Leo XI Pope Leo XI , born Alessandro Ottaviano de' Medici, was Pope from 1 April 1605 to 27 April of the same year.-Biography:... (1605)	Alessandro Ottaviano De Medici	He had been the Bishop of Palestrina. The ancient Romans attributed the origins of Palestrina Palestrina Palestrina is an ancient city and comune with a population of about 18,000, in Lazio, c. 35 km east of Rome... to the seafaring hero Ulysses Odysseus Odysseus or Ulysses was a legendary Greek king of Ithaca and the hero of Homer's epic poem the Odyssey. Odysseus also plays a key role in Homer's Iliad and other works in the Epic Cycle.... . Also, he had only reigned for 27 days.
Gens peruerſa.
235	79 Corrupted nation	Paul V Pope Paul V -Theology:Paul met with Galileo Galilei in 1616 after Cardinal Bellarmine had, on his orders, warned Galileo not to hold or defend the heliocentric ideas of Copernicus. Whether there was also an order not to teach those ideas in any way has been a matter for controversy... (1605–1621)	Camillo Borghese	Pope Paul scandalized the Church when he appointed his nephew to the College of Cardinals. The word "nepotism" may have originated during the reign of this pope.
In tribulatione pacis.
236	80 In the trouble of peace	Gregory XV Pope Gregory XV Pope Gregory XV , born Alessandro Ludovisi, was pope from 1621, succeeding Paul V on 9 February 1621... (1621–1623)	Alessandro Ludovisi	His reign corresponded with the outbreak of the Thirty Years War.
Lilium et roſa.
237	81 Lily and rose	Urban VIII Pope Urban VIII Pope Urban VIII , born Maffeo Barberini, was pope from 1623 to 1644. He was the last pope to expand the papal territory by force of arms, and was a prominent patron of the arts and reformer of Church missions... (1623–1644)	Maffeo Barberini	He was a native of Florence Florence Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area.... . Florence, in Italy, has a red lily on its coat of arms.
Iucunditas crucis.
238	82 Delight of the cross	Innocent X Pope Innocent X Pope Innocent X , born Giovanni Battista Pamphilj , was Pope from 1644 to 1655. Born in Rome of a family from Gubbio in Umbria who had come to Rome during the pontificate of Pope Innocent IX, he graduated from the Collegio Romano and followed a conventional cursus honorum, following his uncle... (1644–1655)	Giovanni Battista Pamphili	He was raised to the pontificate after a long and difficult Conclave on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross (off by a day).
Montium cuſtos.
239	83 Guard of the mountains	Alexander VII Pope Alexander VII Pope Alexander VII , born Fabio Chigi, was Pope from 7 April 1655, until his death.- Early life :Born in Siena, a member of the illustrious banking family of Chigi and a great-nephew of Pope Paul V , he was privately tutored and eventually received doctorates of philosophy, law, and theology from... (1655–1667)	Fabio Chigi	His family arms include six hills with a star above them.
Sydus olorum.
240	84 Star of the swans	Clement IX Pope Clement IX Pope Clement IX , born Giulio Rospigliosi, was Pope from 1667 to 1669.-Early life:Born Giulio Rospigliosi to a noble family of Pistoia, Grand Duchy of Tuscany, he was a pupil of the Jesuits. After receiving his doctorate in philosophy at the University of Pisa, he taught theology there... (1667–1669)	Giulio Rospigliosi	The "star" in the legend refers Pope Alexander VII, who had made Clement his personal secretary. The Italian word for swan, "Cigni," rhymes with Pope Alexander's last name, "Chigi."
De flumine magno.
241	85 From a great river	Clement X Pope Clement X Pope Clement X , born Emilio Bonaventura Altieri, was Pope from 29 April 1670 to 22 July 1676.-Early life:Emilio Altieri was born in Rome, the son of Lorenzo Altieri and Victoria Delphini, a Venetian lady... (1670–1676)	Emilio Altieri	Pope Clement was a native of Rome.
Bellua inſatiabilis.
242	86 Insatiable beast	Innocent XI Pope Innocent XI Blessed Pope Innocent XI , born Benedetto Odescalchi, was Pope from 1676 to 1689.-Early life:Benedetto Odescalchi was born at Como in 1611 , the son of a Como nobleman, Livio Odescalchi, and Paola Castelli Giovanelli from Gandino... (1676–1689)	Benedetto Odescalchi	Pope Innocent had a lion on his coat of arms.
Pœnitentia glorioſa.
243	87 Glorious penitence	Alexander VIII Pope Alexander VIII Pope Alexander VIII , born Pietro Vito Ottoboni, was Pope from 1689 to 1691.-Early life:Pietro Ottoboni was born of a noble Venetian family, and was the son of Marco Ottoboni, chancellor of the Republic of Venice... (1689–1691)	Pietro Ottoboni	His first name was "Pietro". The apostle Peter repented after he had denied his master three times.
Raſtrum in porta.
244	88 Rake in the door	Innocent XII Pope Innocent XII Pope Innocent XII , born Antonio Pignatelli, was Pope from 1691 to 1700.-Biography:He was born in Spinazzola to one of the most aristocratic families of the Kingdom of Naples, which included many Viceroys, and ministers to the crown, and was educated at the Jesuit college in Rome.In his twentieth... (1691–1700)	Antonio Pignatelli del Rastrello	His full name was Antonio Pignatelli del Rastrello. "Rastrello" in Italian means "rake."
Flores circundati.
245	89 Surrounded flowers	Clement XI Pope Clement XI Pope Clement XI , born Giovanni Francesco Albani, was Pope from 1700 until his death in 1721.-Early life:... (1700–1721)	Giovanni Francesco Albani	He had been a cardinal with the title of San Maria in Aquiro.
De bona religione.
246	90 From good religion	Innocent XIII Pope Innocent XIII Pope Innocent XIII was pope from 1721 until his death.He was born Michelangelo Conti in Poli, near Rome. Like Pope Innocent III , Pope Gregory IX and Pope Alexander IV , he was a member of the family of the Conti, counts and dukes of Segni... (1721–1724)	Michelangelo dei Conti	A play on words, referring to the pope's chosen name, "Innocent." He was from the famous Conti family which had produced several Popes.
Miles in bello.
247	91 Soldier in War	Benedict XIII Pope Benedict XIII -Footnotes:... (1724–1730)	Pietro Francesco Orsini
Columna excelſa.
248	92 Lofty column	Clement XII Pope Clement XII Pope Clement XII , born Lorenzo Corsini, was Pope from 12 July 1730 to 6 February 1740.Born in Florence, the son of Bartolomeo Corsini, Marquis of Casigliano and his wife Isabella Strozzi, sister of the Duke of Bagnuolo, Corsini had been an aristocratic lawyer and financial manager under preceding... (1730–1740)	Lorenzo Corsini	When still a cardinal, he had held the title of St. Peter in Chains. The name "Peter" is derived from the Greek word "petros," meaning "rock." Clement was a frustrated architect who ordered, and sometimes interfered with, the building of many churches. He managed to salvage two columns of the Parthenon Parthenon The Parthenon is a temple on the Athenian Acropolis, Greece, dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena, whom the people of Athens considered their virgin patron. Its construction began in 447 BC when the Athenian Empire was at the height of its power. It was completed in 438 BC, although... for his chapel at Mantua Mantua Mantua is a city and comune in Lombardy, Italy and capital of the province of the same name. Mantua's historic power and influence under the Gonzaga family, made it one of the main artistic, cultural and notably musical hubs of Northern Italy and the country as a whole... .
Animal rurale.
249	93 Country animal	Benedict XIV Pope Benedict XIV Pope Benedict XIV , born Prospero Lorenzo Lambertini, was Pope from 17 August 1740 to 3 May 1758.-Life:... (1740–1758)	Marcello Lambertini
Roſa Vmbriæ.
250	94 Rose of Umbria	Clement XIII Pope Clement XIII Pope Clement XIII , born Carlo della Torre di Rezzonico, was Pope from 16 July 1758 to 2 February 1769.... (1758–1769)	Carlo Rezzonico	He had been a cardinal with the title of Santa Maria in Aracoeli. In mystical circles, the Virgin Mary is represented by a rose.
Vrſus uelox.
251	95 Swift bear (later misprinted as Cursus velox Swift Course or Visus velox Swift Glance)	Clement XIV Pope Clement XIV Pope Clement XIV , born Giovanni Vincenzo Antonio Ganganelli, was Pope from 1769 to 1774. At the time of his election, he was the only Franciscan friar in the College of Cardinals.-Early life:... (1769–1774)	Lorenzo Giovanni Vincenzo Antonio Ganganelli	The Ganganelli family crest bore a running bear.
Peregrin⁹ apoſtolic⁹.
252	96 Apostolic pilgrim	Pius VI Pope Pius VI Pope Pius VI , born Count Giovanni Angelo Braschi, was Pope from 1775 to 1799.-Early years:Braschi was born in Cesena... (1775–1799)	Giovanni Angelico Braschi	Spent the last two years of his life in exile, a prisoner of the French Revolution French Revolution The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years... .
Aquila rapax.
253	97 Rapacious eagle	Pius VII Pope Pius VII Pope Pius VII , born Barnaba Niccolò Maria Luigi Chiaramonti, was a monk, theologian and bishop, who reigned as Pope from 14 March 1800 to 20 August 1823.-Early life:... (1800–1823)	Barnaba Chiaramonti	The Pope's pontificate was overshadowed by Napoleon, whose emblem was the eagle.
Canis & coluber.
254	98 Dog and adder	Leo XII Pope Leo XII Pope Leo XII , born Annibale Francesco Clemente Melchiore Girolamo Nicola Sermattei della Genga, was Pope from 1823 to 1829.-Life:... (1823–1829)	Annibale Sermattei della Genga	"Dog" and "snake" are common insults, and Leo was widely hated. The legend could be an allusion to the pope's last name, Sermattei. "Serpente" is the Italian word for snake.
Vir religioſus.
255	99 Religious man	Pius VIII Pope Pius VIII Pope Pius VIII , born Francesco Saverio Castiglioni was Pope in 1829 and 1830.-Biography:He was born in Cingoli, Marche, the son of Count Ottavio Castiglioni and his wife Sanzia Ghislieri. He studied Canon law and, in 1800 became bishop of Montalto... (1829–1830)	Francesco Saverio Castiglioni	Another play on words, referring to the pope's chosen name, "Pius".
De balneis Ethruriæ.
256	100 From the baths of Tuscany	Gregory XVI Pope Gregory XVI Pope Gregory XVI , born Bartolomeo Alberto Cappellari, named Mauro as a member of the religious order of the Camaldolese, was Pope of the Catholic Church from 1831 to 1846... (1831–1846)	Mauro, or Bartolomeo Alberto Cappellari	Pope Gregory XVI belonged to the Camaldolese order of monks. The Camaldolese order is said to have begun with two monastic houses. The first of these houses was Campus Maldoli, and the second was Fonte Buono. "Fonte Buono" is Italian for "good fountain."
Crux de cruce.
257	101 Cross from cross	Bl. Pius IX Pope Pius IX Blessed Pope Pius IX , born Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti, was the longest-reigning elected Pope in the history of the Catholic Church, serving from 16 June 1846 until his death, a period of nearly 32 years. During his pontificate, he convened the First Vatican Council in 1869, which decreed papal... (1846–1878)	Giovanni Maria Mastai Ferretti	During the pontificate of Pius IX, the House of Savoy House of Savoy The House of Savoy was formed in the early 11th century in the historical Savoy region. Through gradual expansion, it grew from ruling a small county in that region to eventually rule the Kingdom of Italy from 1861 until the end of World War II, king of Croatia and King of Armenia... , whose coat of arms is a white cross on a red background, reunited Italy and stripped the pope of his territorial possessions. Pope Pius XII Pope Pius XII The Venerable Pope Pius XII , born Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli , reigned as Pope, head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City State, from 2 March 1939 until his death in 1958.... , commenting on the beatification process of Pius IX, used the words per crucem ad lucem (through the cross to light). Pius IX was finally beatified by Pope John Paul II Pope John Paul II Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ... in 2000.
Lumen in cœlo.
258	102 Light in the sky	Leo XIII Pope Leo XIII Pope Leo XIII , born Vincenzo Gioacchino Raffaele Luigi Pecci to an Italian comital family, was the 256th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, reigning from 1878 to 1903... (1878–1903)	Gioacchino Pecci	His coat of arms had a shooting star.
Ignis ardens.
259	103 Burning fire	St. Pius X Pope Pius X Pope Saint Pius X , born Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto, was the 257th Pope of the Catholic Church, serving from 1903 to 1914. He was the first pope since Pope Pius V to be canonized. Pius X rejected modernist interpretations of Catholic doctrine, promoting traditional devotional practices and orthodox... (1903–1914)	Giuseppe Sarto	Pius advocated the codification of Canon law Canon law Canon law is the body of laws & regulations made or adopted by ecclesiastical authority, for the government of the Christian organization and its members. It is the internal ecclesiastical law governing the Catholic Church , the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches, and the Anglican Communion of... , daily communion Eucharist The Eucharist , also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord's Supper, and other names, is a Christian sacrament or ordinance... and the use of Gregorian chant Gregorian chant Gregorian chant is the central tradition of Western plainchant, a form of monophonic liturgical music within Western Christianity that accompanied the celebration of Mass and other ritual services... in the Catholic liturgy Catholic liturgy The Catholic Church is fundamentally liturgical and sacramental in its public life of worship.-Liturgical principles:As explained in greater detail in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and its shorter Compendium, the liturgy is something that "the whole Christ", Head and Body, celebrates —... , and was an opponent of Modernism Modernism (Roman Catholicism) Modernism refers to theological opinions expressed during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but with influence reaching into the 21st century, which are characterized by a break with the past. Catholic modernists form an amorphous group. The term "modernist" appears in Pope Pius X's 1907... . He was the first pope to be declared a saint Saint A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth... in over 400 years, the previous one being Pope Pius V Pope Pius V Pope Saint Pius V , born Antonio Ghislieri , was Pope from 1566 to 1572 and is a saint of the Catholic Church. He is chiefly notable for his role in the Council of Trent, the Counter-Reformation, and the standardization of the Roman liturgy within the Latin Church... .
Religio depopulata.
260	104 Religion destroyed	Benedict XV Pope Benedict XV Pope Benedict XV , born Giacomo Paolo Giovanni Battista della Chiesa, reigned as Pope from 3 September 1914 to 22 January 1922... (1914–1922)	Giacomo Della Chiesa	Worldwide spread of atheistic Communism.
Fides intrepida.
261	105 Intrepid faith	Pius XI Pope Pius XI Pope Pius XI , born Ambrogio Damiano Achille Ratti, was Pope from 6 February 1922, and sovereign of Vatican City from its creation as an independent state on 11 February 1929 until his death on 10 February 1939... (1922–1939)	Achille Ratti	Established Vatican City as a country and the papacy as a head of state.
Paſtor angelicus.
262	106 Angelic shepherd	Ven. Pius XII Pope Pius XII The Venerable Pope Pius XII , born Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli , reigned as Pope, head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City State, from 2 March 1939 until his death in 1958.... (1939–1958)	Eugenio Pacelli	Said to have received visions, some of which have yet to be revealed.
Paſtor & nauta.
263	107 Shepherd and sailor	Bl. John XXIII Pope John XXIII -Papal election:Following the death of Pope Pius XII in 1958, Roncalli was elected Pope, to his great surprise. He had even arrived in the Vatican with a return train ticket to Venice. Many had considered Giovanni Battista Montini, Archbishop of Milan, a possible candidate, but, although archbishop... (1958–1963)	Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli	From Venice, a maritime city.
Flos florum.
264	108 Flower of flowers	Paul VI Pope Paul VI Paul VI , born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church from 21 June 1963 until his death on 6 August 1978. Succeeding Pope John XXIII, who had convened the Second Vatican Council, he decided to continue it... (1963–1978)	Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini	His coat of arms features three flowers.
De medietate lunæ.
265	109 From the midst of the moon	John Paul I Pope John Paul I John Paul I , born Albino Luciani, , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and as Sovereign of Vatican City from 26 August 1978 until his death 33 days later. His reign is among the shortest in papal history, resulting in the most recent Year of Three Popes... (1978)	Albino Luciani	His month-long reign began with the moon half-full.
De labore ſolis.
266	110 From the labor of the sun	Bl. John Paul II Pope John Paul II Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ... (1978–2005)	Karol Wojtyła	Born on the day of a solar eclipse.
Gloria oliuæ.
267	111 Glory of the olive.	Benedict XVI Pope Benedict XVI Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See... (2005–present)	Joseph Ratzinger
In ꝑsecutione extrema S.R.E. ſedebit.
	In the extreme persecution of the Holy Roman Church, there will sit.
Petrus Romanus, qui paſcet oues in multis tribulationibus: quibus tranſactis ciuitas ſepticollis diruetur, & Iudex tremẽdus iudicabit populum ſuum. Finis.
268	112 Peter the Roman, who will nourish the sheep in many tribulations; when they are finished, the city of seven hills will be destroyed, and the dreadful judge will judge his people. The end.	Unknown	Unknown

Petrus Romanus

The longest and final motto reads in the original Latin:

In ꝑſecutione extre-

ma S.R.E. ſedebit.

Petrus Romanus, qui

paſcet oues in mul-

tis tribulationibus:

quibus tranſactis ci-

uitas ſepticollis di-

ruetur, & Iudex tre

mẽdus iudicabit po

pulum ſuum. Finis.

This is usually translated into English as:

"In the extreme 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 will be destroyed,

and the terrible judge will judge his people.
The End."

However, in the 1595 Lignum Vitae, the line In persecutione extrema S.R.E. sedebit. forms a separate sentence and paragraph of its own, and it is unclear whether it is grammatically related to Gloria Olivae which precedes it, or to Petrus Romanus, which follows it.

There is, also, a claim that the original list written by St. Malachy, does not contain a reference to Petrus Romanus and that the last lines were added to the printed text in Wyon's Lignum Vitæ. This, however, cannot be proved, as the original manuscript (if any) probably no longer exists.

Authenticity and skepticism

Spanish writer father Benito Jerónimo Feijóo wrote in his Teatro Crítico Universal (1724–1739), in an entry called Purported prophecies, that the ones by Saint Malachy's were a shameful forgery, claiming that they were created ad hoc during the 16th century. As a proof, he offers an accurate fact: that the first time the prophecy is mentioned is on a handwritten account by patriarch Alfonso Chacón (a.k.a Alphonsus Ciacconus, 1540–1599) in 1590 (this account would be later published, in 1595, by the abovementioned historian Arnold de Wyon). In this account, Chacón only comments about the prophecies until the papacy of Urban VII (whose papacy only lasted September 1590, and was the current pope at the time Chacón wrote the comment).

According to Feijóo, Chacón, who held a great intellectual prestige at the time, was lured into commenting the prophecies by someone who wanted to help cardinal Girolamo Simoncelli

Girolamo Simoncelli

Girolamo Simoncelli was an Italian cardinal.-Life:He was made a cardinal by his great-uncle pope Julius III in the consistory of 22 December 1553, elected bishop of Orvieto in 1554 and administrator in 1570...

(1522–1605) reach the papacy. By showing them to be accurate till Urban VII, it was expected people would believe the following ones. That way, Girolamo Simoncelli

Girolamo Simoncelli

's election as pope would be easier, since the prophecy after Urban VII's one tells about a pope Ex antiquitate urbis (from the antiquity of the city), a fact that seems to fit him, who was cardinal of Orvieto

Orvieto

Orvieto is a city and comune in Province of Terni, southwestern Umbria, Italy situated on the flat summit of a large butte of volcanic tuff...

(literally "old city", urbs vetus), or at least better than Gregory XIV, who was elected pope after Urban VII.

Thus, the forgery would have been unsuccessful, since Simoncelli was not elected pope. Jesuit father Claude-François Menestrier

Claude-François Ménestrier

Claude-François Ménestrier was a French heraldist, a member of the Society of Jesus [Jesuit], and attendant of the royal court....

also claimed that the prophecies were forged in order to help the papal candidacy of Girolamo Simoncelli, offering similar reasons to those of Feijóo. Spanish historian

Historian

A historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. If the individual is...

José Luis Calvo points out that the prophecies seem to be very accurate till Urban VII, fitting perfectly even the antipopes, but that afterwards great efforts have to be made in order to make the prophecies fit their pope. Feijóo's explanation is usually regarded as being the strongest evidence of the forgery.

Erroneous claims

A number of claims have been made about the original text of the Prophecies. Many of these claims attempt to allay anxiety arising from the apparently imminent appearance of the "last Pope" and the subsequent Last Judgment

Last Judgment

The Last Judgment, Final Judgment, Day of Judgment, Judgment Day, or The Day of the Lord in Christian theology, is the final and eternal judgment by God of every nation. The concept is found in all the Canonical gospels, particularly the Gospel of Matthew. It will purportedly take place after the...

. These claims include the following:

Claim: The last entry describing Petrus Romanus was first recorded sometime after 1820 and so is not part of the original prophecy. Alternatively, the 112th pope was added in 1559 by the Olivetan monks.
- Response: The entry is definitely attested earlier than 1820. There is no 1559 text of the prophecies. The 1595 printing of Lignum Vitæ is the earliest extant copy of the prophecies, and it contains the full text referring to Petrus Romanus.

Claim: There is no 112 number preceding the Petrus Romanus prophecy, therefore either Gloria olivæ and Petrus Romanus are the same, or there may be many unprophesied Popes between Gloria olivæ and Petrus Romanus.
- Response: There is indeed no "112" preceding the entry for Petrus Romanus; there are also no numbers given for any of the other Papal mottos, yet it is plain that it is intended to be a sequential list. There is no potential in the first printed publication list for confusion between Gloria olivæ and Petrus Romanus, which follows below it.

Claim: The original text reads psecutione which is an abbreviation either for persecutione or for prosecutione. In the very first publication of the prophecies (1595) Arnold de Wion had this word as "psecutione", an abbreviation either for "persecutione" (persecution) or for "prosecutione" (continuation in time), while Messinghan's 1624 had it as "persecutione". If it were indeed "psecutione" it could be interpreted as "continuation" and the opening line of prophecy 112 could read as – "In the extreme passage of time the seat of the Holy Roman Church will be occupied by Peter the Roman" – thus suggesting that there may be a Pope or Popes in between Gloria olivae and Petrus Romanus.
- Response: The first printed publication reads not psecutione but ꝑsecutione, with a line through the descender of the p letter. This is a common and unambiguous scribal abbreviation
  Scribal abbreviation
  Scribal abbreviations are the abbreviations used by ancient and mediæval scribes writing in Latin and, later, in Greek and Old Norse...
  
  for the sequence per, and cannot be confused with the scribal abbreviation for pro. All subsequent variants of the text read persecutione, unambiguously, and the word fits the context well.

External links

Original 1595 text of the Prophecies (Arnold de Wion, Lignum Vitae, Lib. ii, pp. 307–311)
List of Popes and their corresponding mottos

General Audience: Pope tells why he chose the name of Benedict

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