The First American Pope, Page 2

CHAPTER 2

  A NEW POPE IS CHOSEN

  Just as quickly as Cardinal Meyer saw the appearance of Jesus, He soon disappeared, and then he notice the other Cardinals started to rustle in their seats. The Dean of Cardinal raps the mallet on the desk and calls out to the Cardinal Secretary to pass out the ballots, with no further discussions by the prelates, and to vote in silence.

  Each Cardinal then puts their ballots in the Holy Chalice. Upon concluding the counting, the Cardinal Secretary brings forth to the Dean of Cardinals the result of the ballot.

  The Dean of Cardinals, arises in awe, “My dear Cardinals, it has been an unprecedented election, that we have a unanimous decision after such acrimonious deliberations. Will, you Cardinal John Meyer accept the honor of being our next Pope. ” As the Cardinal rises, he answers ‘Yes, I will accept to be your Humble Servant, Lord Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior, and GOD our Father.’ At which all applaud with great spirit and admiration.

  After which, the Cardinal Secretary, burns the ballots in the stove in the corner of the Chapel, so that white smoke appears for the entire world to know that a new Pope has been elected.

  The Dean of Cardinal then asks Cardinal John Meyer, “By which name will you be known?”, “I wish to be known as John”, answered Cardinal John Meyer. The Dean of Cardinals then escorts him to the sacristy reserved for the vesting of the new Pope.

  As the last Pope to bear the name of John was John XXIII, the new Pope will be recognized as Pope John XXIV. The new Pope is escorted into a room where three sets of vestments are laid out to accommodate the potential stature of any elected Holy Father. John asks all but the servant to leave the chamber. And then he asks the servant to please bring him immediately a habit of a monk. The servant a bit perplex, responds yes to the Holy Father before leaving the room. After a few minutes the servant brings him the monk’s habit, upon which the new Pope then asks the servant to please remain with him, and seeks assurance of his confidence in what they will be doing.

  After Pope John XXIV changes, he asks the servant to please guide him through the buildings to gain access to the plaza below. So with haste, they meander through quietly with the Pope’s head covered in the monk’s habit without being interrogated all the way to the middle of the Plaza.

  As the new Pope arrives in the midst of St. Peter’s Square, everyone starts to glance at the heavens, as the sun suddenly glows with a brilliant pulsating light in the eastern sky, the crowd becomes frightened and scared, some crying out loud as to what is possibly happening. With great amazement, they notice that the moon is now also appearing in the west with a glowing white surface. Then all of a sudden, the skies turn dark and a bedazzling display of seemingly thousands of lightning strikes and thunder are witnessed throughout the sky. Almost as quickly as it started, the sky becomes quiet with a dark blue background with all the stars in the heavens sparkling in brilliance.

  Suddenly a vision appears in the middle of the skies with the appearance of two individuals and a dove, reflected on both surfaces of the sun and moon. The figure on the right is then heard to speak.

  “Peace, be with you all, for I have returned to call upon all who believe in ME to come and join together in union as members of my living church. For all who believe in ME, sees the Father in ME, and I in the Father and Holy Spirit. I am calling for a union of all believers into one universal Catholic Church.”

  “When I came as your Messiah here on Earth, I was not here to change the cultural and historical traditions of the Jews and Gentiles that I and my apostles encountered in our time on earth. I was here to fulfill God's promise to open up the gates of heaven that had been closed because of the sin of Adam and Eve. As a baby born into a Jewish family, I was raised according to the cultural and historical customs of the time similar to the traditions and cultural customs of other nations and as similar to the Muslims or orthodox believers of today. These were very male dominated societies, whose traditions excluded females from religion and positions of authority within their culture and education. Other cultures observed these traditions on the basis of classes within their societies.”

  “I, the disciples, and the Prophets had to convince people that I was the Messiah as promised to your forefathers. In order for Me to be accepted as the Messiah, I had to follow the Jewish practices, customs, and religious beliefs at that time.”

  “My ministry was to educate My followers about a new kingdom that was not here on the earth. The early Catholic Church therefore had to speak so that the early Christians according to their cultural and historical significance traditions would understand what was being conveyed to them. Otherwise they would not have understood or been inspired to believe in Me or My teachings.”

  “Male dominance in the Catholic Church has been derived essentially because at the time of My ministry, the world was a male dominated society in family and government. Thus only males were allowed to be educated, vote and allowed to own property. I was born into that society, and thus the church became a male society. If I had been born today, the church episcopacy would have been very different including the male dominated church doctrines and governance.”

  “Those who would use the bible as their reason for exclusion of women priests are basing their premises on cultural and historical traditions and not that of My desires.

  For centuries, I have used our Mother, Mary, in numerous miraculous apparitions throughout the world to advance My ministry and the acknowledgment of Our Divine Mercy in proclaiming the good news of the existence of our Father, God and the Holy Spirit.”

  “In addition, I have revealed myself through the lives of many of the Saints of the church, and those bearing the stigmata of My Crucifixion, like St Francis and Padre Pio, including most recently Catalina Rivas, a housewife from Cochabamba, Bolivia, who has received messages from Mary and Me since 1993. Those events throughout the world, and even today, show that I am here with you and to continue efforts to teach you about Our divine love and mercy. Those who only would believe what the bible teaches and not recognize the interactions of Mary and Myself in the world today, have not opened their hearts to allow for divine interventions to broaden their enlightenment of God’s glorious plan.”

  “In Matthew 19:12; It states, “There are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother's womb; and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are also eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to accept this let him accept it.”1

  “This discussion of eunuchs was in the context of the question asked of Myself about whether it is good to marry. For centuries people who condemned homosexuals and lesbians were and are of the opinion that it is a “choice”. I say they were born that way. Why do people condemn them? In God’s eyes they are blessed, just like every other human deserving every blessing and everlasting life in the kingdom of heaven. It is MY will.”

  “Therefore we cannot discriminate against anyone as to which sacraments of the Church they are entitled to receive, including matrimony and holy orders. The only criteria by which we can deny anyone from receiving sacraments other than the sacrament of reconciliation and baptism are whether they are in the proper state of grace.”

  “Today, those orthodox traditions, customs, beliefs, prejudices, sexism, will not be allowed in a Universal Catholic Church for all believers. It is to be a church of inclusion and not exclusion just as My heavenly kingdom is. I honor My Mother, the Blessed Immaculate Mary as part of My ministry within My church, and therefore women, gays or lesbians are to become members of the church’s episcopacy. They will no longer be excluded from being priest in the church or its ruling hierarchy. The College of Cardinals will have an equal number of female members, including members to be drawn from the Christian, Jewish, Protestant, and other denominations that will be joining the Universal Catholic Church. Christian, Jewish, Protestant, and other major faith denominations who want to be included in the Universal Catholic Church, are to submit names of members
to be considered as their church representatives for voting positions within the Catholic Episcopacy.”

  “Many Christian believers of other denominations because of the differences with the Catholic Bible do not believe in certain Catholic beliefs, particularly the existence of purgatory or the devotion accorded the Blessed Mother. Because the word “purgatory” did not exist at the time of the Old Testament does not mean it does not exist, as some believe. They believed that prior to My dying on the Cross that all unclean souls went into hell until the last judgment. Those who do not believe in purgatory, have the misconceived notion that when I died all existing sins and future sins were forgiven; therefore since they had accepted the Lord as their Savior they would go directly to heaven upon their death.”

  “As your souls depart from human bodies, they return to God for their Judgment. If you’re soul is not pure, then it is to be purified in Purgatory for a time, not damned for eternity. Once purified, the soul is united in glory with our Heavenly Family. If your soul is in perfect grace, then you shall enter into Heaven for eternity. Never to be judged again, for there is no need for a final judgment. Please pray and do acts of penitence for the souls in purgatory. Your Heavenly Mother has asked this, so that they receive divine mercy and a shortened time in purgatory. Those in purgatory share life among you seeking to redeem their souls by putting in practice their faith works, which they did not do when they were living. Once their souls have gained perfect grace, they will receive their final judgment by being accepted by Me and welcomed by God our Father with choirs of angels and greeted by your families upon entering Heaven. They will not have to wait until the final days as had been proclaimed by others.”

  “As I was dying on the Cross, I turned to the thief, and said to him, “that because of your faith, you will be with Me in Heaven this day”. The spilling of My blood not only saved the thief, but also released all the souls of the departed up to that time, for the Gates of Heaven had been shuttered. For those faithful souls who had been glorified that day, they entered to their Heavenly reward never to be judged again.”

  At that moment, the image of the Crucifixion appears in the heavens as at the moment of Jesus’s death on the cross. Darkness covers the earth, suddenly multiple explosions of lightning strikes and thunder roars in every direction. Above the crucified image, a brilliant light appears as a large diamond cascading with lights emitted in all directions. A voice is heard from the Heavens, “Just as promised at My Son’s death, the Gates of Heaven were then opened. At that time, you could have seen rising from the earth worldwide, the sparkle of flames emitting their lights as millions of souls ascended to Heaven.” As quickly as this image of brilliant lights appeared it dissipated, and the image of Jesus reflected in the sun and the moon remained.

  “The image you now see, my brothers and sisters, occurred when the Gates of Heaven received the souls that had been in limbo, as promised by My Father, at the moment of My earthly death.”

  “I am today, calling forth among you, My faithful servant, a new Pope, who will lead My church from this time on until he is called for his heavenly reward. I ask all of you to abide by his doctrines and changes to the church in order to reawaken the church with a new vision that includes everyone.”

  As the Lord hands seem to rise, suddenly the new Pope dressed in a simple monk’s habit is elevated above the crowds of Saint Peter plaza. “THIS IS YOUR NEW POPE, JOHN, WHO HAS MY FAVOR, LISTEN TO HIM FOR HE HAS BEEN SANTIFIED BY ME TO LEAD MY UNIVERSAL CATHOLIC CHURCH HERE ON EARTH INTO A NEW AGE”

  Just as quickly as the spectacular images in the heavens, started, they passed and the heavens returned to a pleasant sunny sky, without a cloud in the sky.

  As the new Pope elevated above the crowd gently descended to the plaza surface, the throngs of faithful quickly, quietly and piously knelt around the Pope. The Pope now blessing the crowds quietly moves toward the main doors of St Peter’s Basilica. The Pope’s guards quickly move to the Pope’s side, guiding his entrance through the crowds. The Dean of Cardinal’s and the rest of the Cardinals are all in a fluster as to what has happen and what to do next.

  The new Pope as he meets the group of Cardinals at the entrance tells them that he will now go to the balcony (the loggia) to speak to the faithful. He now moves on to the balcony (the loggia) still wearing the monk’s habit. (The loggia is the Italian word for the actual balcony at the center of the façade of St. Peter’s Basilica)

  The central balcony doors of St. Peter’s Basilica open, and as the crowds below see him, everyone erupts in cheers.

  After a few minutes, as he waits for the crowds’ cheers to subside, He lifts his hands to signal to please allow him to speak to them.

  “My dear beloved brothers and sisters, we have truly witnessed a profound miracle in seeing the appearance of the Trinity, Our Lord Jesus Christ, God our Father, and Holy Spirit, to usher in a new Christian era for the world to know the Power and Glory of God, and his blessings for us all to come together as one holy and united Catholic church of believers.

  I will call for a new ecumenical conclave to meet next year in Rome, and to initiate a dialogue with all our Christian, Protestant, and Jewish faiths to come and consider ways by which we can all be united as one. This will be a major challenge for us all, but come with an open heart and mind to look, listen, and contemplate in prayer what we are asked to accomplish, and not to come with a predetermined mindset, that we will never unite. Please open a dialogue with your faith brethren of what this can mean to the entire world. What an opportunity we have to break down barriers and to truly become brothers and sisters in Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ has challenged us to seek a true path to His heavenly kingdom, for which I beseech every Christian and Protestant church of every denomination to discern what the Lord Jesus Christ is asking of us. We are to open our hearts and minds to a solemn unification of our common faiths into ONE UNIVERSAL CATHOLIC CHURCH. Be it known that evil powers and doers will seek to destroy this endeavor. But if you believe, let it be done as the Lord Jesus Christ is asking of us, and the whole world will come to know peace in this new age.

  Pray that we can all be accepting of the task before us to achieve what Christ Our Lord Jesus is asking us to achieve for a truly Universal Catholic Church. I will not be silent about the injustices done upon the people of the world, and I will seek to bring forth peace and tranquility that all may exist with freedom, with human rights, without hunger, free of disease, and fear of oppression.

  Security, especially financial security is an important concern in many homes, businesses, nations, and churches as well. It is vital to feel safe and secure, but it is not our primary concern as followers of Christ. As Jesus instructed his disciples, mission comes first, the work of the Father, making the good news of salvation known to the world. In everything we do, let us ask how we can witness to the Gospel in deed as well as in word. How can we live a lifestyle that reflects Gospel values, in our private lives as well as in the lives as Christian communities? That is not any easy task, since we live in a world of distractions, which draws our attention away from “mission” and towards other things. Another challenge, one which all of us face daily, at home, work, school, in the marketplace, involves dealing respectfully, lovingly, and honestly with those who disagree with us, and especially those who, including ourselves, refuse to listen to another point of view.

  Conflicting viewpoints can be a source of rage and hatred, even when buried from view. Each of us knows moments of private anger. We feel them in our hearts. We sense the overwhelming urge to strike out against those whom we despise. Sadly, these hostilities are present within our churches, among the followers of Christ. As you know, people have left the church, and separated themselves from communion with the Body of Christ, because of strong disagreements over a variety of issues. One can only imagine how this wounds the Heart of Christ. How frequently, both before and after His Resurrection, Jesus prayed for unity among His disciples. Our mission must begin here, amon
g ourselves. From our baptism, we have been asked to walk together with Christ. Our mission is to walk together, united in mind and heart, and to walk with Him, ‘He who is head of the body, the Church, is Christ.’

  How true those words reflect upon the mission we have today, it is the unification of all Christians into one Universal Catholic Church as asked of us by Jesus Christ himself, to the entire world. How can we not accept this immense challenge, even knowing that we will encounter not only the powers of evil, but also the obstructions of man? But we know that with God’s help He will light our way to glory in his Name.

  MAY OUR LORD JESUS BLESS YOU IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, THE SON, AND HOLY SPIRIT, MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS.”

  The crowds go wild with applause, cheers, dancing, and singing in St’ Peter’s Square, where over a million people have gathered, and the televising all over the world of this miraculous event. It is reported all over the world, by the media, concerning the event of what appeared to occur in the heavens, as reflected on the surfaces of the sun and moon. Whether in daylight or at night in any part of the earth, everyone witnessed the same thing. The awesomeness and grandeur of GOD’S power to communicate to the world at the same time was unbelievable and spectacular.

  Pope John XXIV walks back into the papal apartments and views the assembled prelates in the room, looking with puzzlement as to what has just happened, and to what has been said in the media, and people in the square below. As he starts to walk into the room, he tells the assembled. “We are entering a new age of which there is no precedence, and only the Hand of God to guide us. I ask if you wish to be part of this universal church and that you are to be my instruments to its achievement, as I am a willing servant of Jesus Our Lord and God’s plan. While all the Cardinals are here, we shall begin the day I am given the “Keys of St. Peter’s”. We have much work to do in planning and preparing for a NEW ECUMENICAL UNIVERSAL CATHOLIC CHURCH CONCLAVE meeting.

  And now that it is late, I ask for your indulgence in leaving you, so that I might pray and rest?”

  In the silence of the papal apartment, the new Pope kneels and prays at his private altar. He hears a gentle voice. “You have done well John, I know there will be many dark and difficult days ahead as you try to accomplish the impossible. Many will fight you every inch of the way, but I will always be at your side. And in the depths of your mind and soul, you will know my thoughts and have the wisdom to proclaim it, so that you will succeed where no one else can. Also John, I want you to get yourself a Golden Retriever for yourself, it will make you a good companion, and make sure you watch for his actions. He will help to protect you, let’s say a visible guardian angel. But John, you must remember the richness of your humor and ability to enjoy life, and that must never change. Come let us take a walk so that you may nourish your soul and body to keep your strength.”