BLESSED ANNE CATHERINE EMMERICH - PROPHECY OF THE TWO POPES?

BLESSED ANNE CATHERINE EMMERICH ON THE “TWO POPES”.

By David Moorcroft

Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich

Extremist traditionalist groups in or on the fringes of the Catholic Church and followers of false or unapproved private revelations are making much of an alleged “prophecy of the Two Popes” in the writings of Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich. They claim that the “prophecy” concerns the post-Vatican II Church, and especially the relationship between Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict. The text itself clearly proves this to be wholly false. The recorded words of Bl. Anne are not a prophecy, but a vision. The relevant passages are quoted below:

”Then I had a wonderful vision.

”Rome suddenly appeared in the early ages, and I saw a Pope (Boniface IV), and an emperor whose name I knew not. I could not find my way in the city, even the sacred ceremonies; but yet I recognized them as Catholic…

Pope Boniface IV

“When I had witnessed this vision even in the smallest details, I saw again the present Pope (Pius VII) and the dark church of the time in Rome. It seemed to be a large, old house like a town hall with columns in front…[this description fits a Masonic temple of that time].

“Then I saw the connection between the two popes and the two temples…The picture was favourable to the early ages, for in them idolatry was on the decrease, whilst in our days it is just the contrary.”

Pope Pius VII

(“Life and Revelations of Anne Catherine Emmerich Complete”, page 277 et seq.)

The vision concerns the plight of the Church in the early 19th century, and the two popes are identified. Boniface IV reigned from 608-615; Pius VII from 1800-1823.)