We have harbored this concern for weeks.  Coming on the heels of the movie Conclave, the now late Pope’s hospitalization brought to mind the lineage of leadership in Rome.  Was his overdoing it at Easter this year the reason?

Pope Francis dies at age 88

With the papal passing, the question is “Who will be next?”  Might it be the long-rumored Final Pope? Or is that just “one of those stories?”

The idea of the “last pope” comes from the Prophecy of the Popes, a series of 112 cryptic Latin phrases attributed to St. Malachy, a 12th-century Irish bishop. According to tradition, these phrases describe each pope from Celestine II (1143) onward, with the final one, “Peter the Roman,” supposedly reigning during the end of the world. The prophecy claims: “In the final persecution of the Holy Roman Church, there will sit 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 dreadful Judge will judge his people. The End.”

Scholars widely consider the prophecy a 16th-century forgery, likely created to influence a papal conclave. The phrases are vague, open to interpretation, and often retrofitted to match historical popes. For example, Pope John Paul II was linked to “De Labore Solis” (the labor of the sun) because he traveled extensively, like the sun. Pope Benedict XVI, associated with “Gloria Olivae” (the glory of the olive), was tied to the olive branch symbolizing peace, though tenuously.

Until his death just now, Pope Francis (2013–2025) is the pope following Benedict XVI. Some prophecy enthusiasts argue he could be “Peter the Roman” due to his chosen name (Francis, linked to St. Francis of Assisi, whose birth name was Giovanni di Pietro) and his Italian heritage through his parents. However, Francis was born in Argentina, not Rome, and his papacy doesn’t align neatly with the prophecy’s apocalyptic tone. Others speculate a future pope might better fit the description.”

What happens from here is of some interest:

The Camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, confirms the death, historically by calling the pope’s name three times (though medical verification is now standard). The papal apartments are sealed, and the Fisherman’s Ring is destroyed to end the pope’s authority. A nine-day mourning period, Novemdiales, begins, with the pope’s body prepared for public viewing in St. Peter’s Basilica. The funeral, led by the Dean of the College of Cardinals, occurs 4–6 days after death, likely in St. Peter’s Square, followed by burial (Francis chose Santa Maria Maggiore). After 15–20 days, the College of Cardinals holds a conclave in the Sistine Chapel, voting in secret until a new pope is elected by a two-thirds majority, signaled by white smoke. The new pope is announced with “Habemus Papam.”

Now, about that Fisherman’s Ring? Outside of religious circles, not everyone’s aware of it or its role.

The Fisherman’s Ring, a significant symbol of the papacy, is a gold signet ring bestowed upon each pope, named after St. Peter, the fisherman and first pope. For Pope Francis, whojust  died  his ring was unique, featuring a cross with St. Peter casting his net and the name “Franciscus” engraved on it. Crafted by Italian goldsmith Enrico Manfrini, it was presented at his 2013 inauguration but rarely worn, as Francis preferred a silver-plated version for daily use, reflecting his simplicity. Upon his death, the Camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, would have overseen the ring’s ceremonial destruction, a tradition to prevent its misuse and mark the end of the papal reign, though in modern times, it may simply be defaced or stored in the Vatican archives. This act underscores the transient nature of papal authority, transitioning power to the next successor.

Now, for the Truly Paranoid…

Street-level sensibilities hold hope for a young, non-Roman, next pope not named Peter.

However, there’s this little problem over the next month.  There’s that ring (Peter) and there is no pope at the moment.  So…could we be in an “End of World” period right now?

Assuming no delays, the timeline from today, April 21, 2025, suggests a conclave starting around May 6–11, 2025, with a new pope elected by mid-May and inaugurated by mid-to-late May 2025, roughly 3–4 weeks after death. Delays could extend this to a month or more if logistical issues or a prolonged conclave occur.

Typical lengths of Papal Vacancy run 16-22 days.

This means (if St. Malachy is right and his purported call was not a forgery for political ends) then Yes, we are in a window.

Doesn’t mean the world WILL end.  Just means that WINDOW is open.

Markets Slam

It’s fugly out there today.  Early Dow futures were down 360, S&P looked 55 points weaker, and the techs were down more than 200.

Elsewhere, Europe was down, except for the UK which was about even.  Bitcoin was treading water at $87,300,  but Gold put on $75-bucks and popped over $3,409 briefly as silver flirted with the $33 handle.

Visually these two chart views are worth study:

Which – placed in the Waveform Context of how 1929 was rolling out during a similar wave formation period – compares like so:

Yes, that’s right: If you look at the date range, you’ll see the present market action could well presage a Second Great Depression bottoming in 2027.  File it as “Just another conspiracy theory”?

Take it from Pocahontas: US Markets Will Crash if President Trump Forces Fed Chair Jerome Powell Out, Warns Senator Elizabeth Warren.

Other Than That, How Was the Weekend?

Draw your own:  Let’s start with War and More, shall we?

No sign pf Peace in Europe:  Russia, Ukraine trade blame over truce as Trump predicts ‘deal’. We filed this with “Predictions Mets will win the Series.”

The Iran “side-war” is always a blast: Houthis: 12 killed, 30 injured in U.S. air strikes in Yemen’s capital. Warm up for something else?

And we are trying to figure out who’s got it in for Hegseth? US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth shares war plans in second Signal chat.  How is it that there is a ” source familiar with the matter” floating around?  Is a state actor paying someone to undermine DoD? Hmm…The slam on Hegseth if wide as ‘Near collapse’: Insider warns ‘month from hell’ has left Pentagon in total chaos. Raw Story. (Major media outlets have called Raw Story an investigative news site, progressive, left-leaning, independent, and an alternative news site.)  Call it an old newsroom hunch: When things look too coincidental, they usually are – so we speculate the Alphabet Agencies want Hegseth gone…

Most reporters know that politics is generally a leaky sieve: Sensitive documents, including White House floor plans, improperly shared with thousands.

Now let’s continue with the left lurking in the murky as Alito slams SCOTUS for ‘unprecedented’ deportations order. Which, notes the Justice, was literally one of those “middle of the night” rulings.  Which, we notice, is usually a pretty good tip-off as to intent behind the curtain.

Sort of on the same topic: Our long-held belief Arizona would eventually follow the political insanity of its “retirement feeder states” (CA, OR, WA) has just been reaffirmed: Democrat Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs Vetoes ICE Act, Which Would Mandate Law Enforcement Help Facilitate Deportations.  Good news? I mean such as it is? May help keep fent prices down….

Around the Ranch:  Six Emergent Trends

I spent a huge chunk of the weekend head-down over blood sample slides trying to get a decent, low-cost way to use an electronics (10.1″) SMD soldering microscope to produce a good view of red blood cells.

When I wasn’t doing that, there was a perfect prime rib which in a few minutes will go on the stove as an all-day spaghetti sauce which should be yummerly.  Ssuper slow-cook for 4-8 hours. Add a dash of Worcestershire tol push umami up during last half along with some red wine 2-hours from table…)

After a long lab weekend, I get interested in “Where the world is going?”  So I pop the AI stack to read me in to new and emergent forces of culture.  Here are six hits.