Irish saint predicts 'new Pope and Armageddon'

The 900-year-old prophecies of an Irish saint are becoming popular reading among those who fear the Armageddon is near.

Bishop Malachy O'Morgair had a vision on a pilgrimage to Rome in 1139 that there would only be 112 popes and the last would reign before the world ends.

The current Pope, John Paul II, is the 110th in the Malachy Prophecy and followers say that it is moving onto the next phase with preparations under way to select a successor to the 80-year-old Pope, who suffers from Parkinson's disease.

For a successor to be elected there must be 120 cardinals and the total may be met in February when it is thought the Pope will appoint 25 new "red hats".

While Saint Malachy O'Morgair is not as widely known as Nostradamus, he has reportedly developed a huge following and has several websites dedicated to him.

With the 111th Pope described by the saint as Gloria Olivae, The Glory of the Olive, a number of names are being linked with the title. These include the Jewish Archbishop of Paris, Cardinal Jean Lustiger, because the prophecy may relate to the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, among others.

The 12th century monk, who linked the Irish church more closely to Rome, says the last Pope will be called Peter II and his reign will coincide with the Armageddon.

The prophecy, which is in code, was only published in 1595 after it was suppressed when he presented it to Pope Innocent II and sceptics believe it may be fake.