Some thoughts on the role of the Pope and Benedict XVI

The New York Catechism of Roman Catholicism states
clearly its position concerning the office of the pope:

The Pope takes the place of Jesus Christ on earth. By
divine right the pope has supreme and full power in faith and morals
over each and every pastor and his flock. He is the true Vicar of
Christ, the head of the entire Church, the father and teacher of all
Christians. He is the infallible ruler, the founder of dogmas, the
author of and judge of councils, the universal ruler of truth, the
arbiter of the world, supreme judge of heaven and earth, the judge of
all, being judged by no one, God himself on earth. (Loraine Boettner,
Roman Catholicism, p. 127).

…

The most famous and best-known prophecies about the popes
are those attributed to Malachy. In 1139 he went to Rome to give an account
of the affairs of his diocese to Pope Innocent II, who promised him two
palliums for the metropolitan Sees of Armagh and Cashel. While at Rome, he
supposedly received a strange vision of the future wherein was unfolded
before him the long list of illustrious pontiffs who were to rule the Roman
Catholic Church until the end of time. History tells us that Malachy gave
his manuscript to Innocent II to console him in the midst of his
tribulations, and that the document remained unnoticed in the Roman Archives
until its discovery in 1590. The manuscript was first published by Arnold de
Wyon. Since their publication, there has been much discussion as to whether
they are genuine predictions of Malachy or later culminations by the
Jesuits.

These short prophetical announcements (112 of them)
indicate some noticeable trait of all future popes from Celestine II, who
was elected in the year 1130, until the end of the world. They are
enunciated under mystical titles. Those who have undertaken to interpret and
explain these symbolical prophecies have succeeded in discovering some
trait, allusion, point, or similitude in their application to the individual
popes, such as to their country, their name, their coat of arms or insignia,
their birthplace, their talent or learning, the title of their cardinalate,
or the dignities which they held.

John Paul II was the 266^th pope and the 110^th
pope mentioned by Malachy since his list commenced. Malachy called John Paul
II "De labore Solis," or "of the eclipse of the sun," or "from the labour of
the sun." Karol Wojtyla, his baptismal name, was born on May 18, 1920,
during the solar eclipse. Being born in Poland, he came from behind the
former Iron Curtain. Because of his obsessive devotion to the Virgin Mary,
this Pope was viewed by certain Catholic historians to be the fruit of the
intercession of the Woman clothed with the sun and in labor (Revelation 12).

It is the hope of Romanist leaders that the next pope
will not reign as long, perhaps being an older pope. According to Malachy,
the 267^th pope is called "Gloria Olivae," or "glory of the
olive." Traditionally, the olive branch has been associated with peace, but
in both the Old and New Testaments, it also serves as an emblem for the
Jews. Putting the two together, some commentators believe that the reign of
this pope will be dedicated to peace. However, some believe that Malachy’s
description may instead refer to St. Benedict’s sixth-century prophecy that
a member of his order will lead the Church in its fight against evil just
before the Apocalypse. The Benedictine Order is known by another name,
Olivetans. Those mystic observers in Rome believe if this is true, the next
pope will go by the name of Pope Benedict XVI, in imitation of Saint
Benedict and Pope Benedict XV. Benedict XV was a pope obsessed with peace:
he sought peace and spoke of peace and wrote documents seeking peace.

These prophecies are always interesting although they rarely seem to be true.  When they are made out to be true there is usually a bit revision involved.