New pope doomed - Nostradamus

2005-04-06 20:41

Bogota - The pope elected to succeed John Paul II will be assassinated and his death will spark a Muslim invasion of the West that will split the Roman Catholic Church, according to an interpretation of Nostradamus' prophecies by a leading Colombian author.

Gonzalo Echeverri, a Colombian investigating judge and author of a book on Nostradamus, said: "The next pope elected will be subsequently murdered in central Italy.

"Then comes pope No 112, who will flee Rome because of an attack by Muslims."

According to Echeverri, the pope will base himself in Avignon, France, and another pontiff will take control in Italy, splitting the Catholic church in two.

"There is a clear prophecy that says the holy father will move to another place, even warning that the French pope will not be able to stay in Avignon due to the Muslim invasion and will flee again to Lyon, where he will be attacked, according to Nostradamus," Echeverri said.

Avignon was a base for popes for much of the 14th century, another time of grave divisions in the church and Europe.

Nostradamus was a 16th century scholar who made prophecies. His supporters say he predicted the French revolution, the rise of Hitler and the assassination of President John F Kennedy.

- AFP