The “Francis Effect”—Power of Papal Personality.

“POPE FRANCIS has inspired a surge in attendances and confessions in the Roman Catholic Church, reversing decades of decline... In the eight months since he was chosen, cathedrals in Britain have seen a rise of about 20% in congregations, drawing in both new and lapsed members… Attendances at the Pope’s weekly address [in Rome] have surged to 85,000 last month against 5,000 for his predecessor, Benedict XVI” (Sunday Times, November 17, 2013). “In less than a year one man seems to have stemmed the decline. Catholic officials, who once appeared resigned to a ‘smaller purer church’, are now talking of a ‘papal bounce’” (ibid.). “In the 18 years he was a bishop and archbishop in Buenos Aires, Jorge Bergoglio was ruthless in his radicalism” and he has brought that radicalism to the Vatican (ibid.). Some have described the sweeping papal changes of this pope as the “most important step in the history of the church for the past 10 centuries.” One Cardinal noted “Four years of Francis… would be enough to change everything” (ibid.).

Bible prophecies have long foretold the appearance of a powerful end-time world church (Revelation 13:11-17; Revelation 17). Its dynamic and charismatic leader and the system he represents will “speak pompous words against the Most High” and desire to “change times and law” for 3.5 years just prior to Christ’s return (Daniel 7:25; Revelation 13:5).

Whether Pope Francis is this end-time figure or not remains to be seen. But, his “rock star” style and effect on the Church is setting a powerful precedent. For more on this intriguing topic, read our booklet, The Beast of Revelation.