Pope Francis Awarded Charlemagne Prize

Pope Francis recently received the Charlemagne Prize, awarded to the “outstanding contributor to the modern cause of European unity” (The Economist, December 27, 2015). “He is the first non-European pope in 1,300 years. He views the world from the perspective of the global South… But the selectors are adamant that Pope Francis, more than anybody else, has breathed new life into the construction of Europe at a time when that effort was sagging” (ibid.). Along with his efforts to unify Europe, the pope has elevated the Vatican’s role in international politics and he helped thaw U.S.-Cuban relations (Time, December 17, 2014). Francis is “the first pope to address a joint meeting of Congress” (New York Times, September 24, 2015), and he pushed for “a greater diplomatic role in the Middle East” by signing a treaty recognizing Palestine as a state (Reuters, January 2, 2016).

Bible prophecy has long foretold that a prominent religious leader will directly influence an end-time European superpower (Revelation 13:4, 11-17; 20:10). This figure, backed by Satan, will use powerful miracles to lead the world away from the true God (2 Thessalonians 2:3-12). The actions of the current pope are setting the stage for a religious-led world power that will dominate world affairs like never before. For more about this coming religious figure, watch our powerful telecast, “Who Is the Prophesied ‘Man of Sin’?”