In the Bible we read in Apocalypse (Revelation) 13:11

And I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns, like a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon.

This imagery is dense with symbolism and has been interpreted by theologians and scholars as representing deceptive, counterfeit power that appears gentle but acts with diabolical intent. Let’s look at the details and see how they apply to “Pope” Francis, Jorge Bergoglio.

A Beast

In the Bible, particularly in apocalyptic and prophetic literature like Daniel and Revelation, a “beast” is a symbol representing various forms of opposition to God’s authority, embodied in earthly kingdoms, empires, or oppressive leaders. These beasts are typically depicted with frightening and unnatural characteristics to emphasise their power, cruelty, and opposition to God’s people and plan. Thus, a beast is an evil-doer. Let’s look at this symbolism in more detail.

1. Beasts as Symbolic of Kingdoms and Empires

• In the Book of Daniel, beasts are clearly associated with earthly empires. Daniel 7 describes four beasts emerging from the sea, symbolising four successive kingdoms that would rule over the earth and oppress God’s people. Each beast has unique characteristics representing the nature of that kingdom:
  • Lion with Eagle’s Wings: Often interpreted as the Babylonian Empire, symbolising its majesty and swift rise to power.
  • Bear: Representing the Medo-Persian Empire, noted for its strength and voracious appetite for conquest.
  • Leopard with Four Wings and Four Heads: Typically interpreted as the Greek Empire under Alexander the Great, known for its speed in conquering territories and subsequent division after Alexander’s death.
  • A Terrifying Beast with Iron Teeth: Commonly associated with the Roman Empire, known for its power, might, and extensive reach.

The characteristics of each beast highlight particular aspects of the empires they represent—strength, swiftness, cruelty, or power. These beasts symbolise political and military entities that hold power over people, often in ways that are unjust or oppressive.

2. Beasts as Representations of Opposition to God

• In Revelation, the term “beast” takes on a more developed and spiritually symbolic meaning. The two beasts described in Revelation 13 represent systems or powers that are actively opposed to God’s rule and seek to draw people away from true worship, and thus lose salvation. More on that below.

3. Characteristics of Beasts in Apocalyptic Literature

• Non-human Features: Biblical beasts often have multiple heads, horns, or unnatural body parts, making them appear monstrous and emphasising their chaotic and unnatural nature. These unnatural forms symbolise their opposition to God’s order and their propensity for violence and blasphemy.
• Horns: In apocalyptic symbolism, horns represent power, authority, or kings (as in Daniel 7:24). The number of horns can represent the extent of a beast’s influence or the number of leaders in the power structure it represents.
• Blasphemous Speech: Many beasts in biblical prophecy are described as speaking blasphemously against God, symbolising defiance and arrogance. For example, in Revelation 13:5-6, the beast from the sea is given a mouth “uttering haughty and blasphemous words,” which portrays an authority figure that not only rejects God’s authority but also actively opposes it.

4. The Beast as an Image of Totalitarian and Corrupt Power

• The biblical concept of a beast extends beyond any single historical kingdom or leader and can be seen as a symbolic representation of corrupt, anti-God power structures that arise in any era. The imagery of the beast has been applied by theologians to oppressive governments, totalitarian regimes, and ideologies that reject God and oppress His people.
• The beast also symbolises systems that seek to dehumanise, control, or replace the worship of God with devotion to the state (i.e. communism and socialism), leaders (i.e. communist leaders like Xi Ji Ping), or false gods (i.e. Hinduism, Pachamamma, etc).

5. The Beast in Contrast to the Lamb

• In Revelation, the beast is set in direct contrast to the Lamb (Jesus Christ). While the beast represents power, violence, deception, and self-exaltation, the Lamb symbolises sacrifice, humility, truth, and salvation. This contrast is meant to highlight the difference between the way of Christ and the way of the world, particularly systems or leaders who exercise power in ways that oppose God’s nature and commands.
• Followers of the Lamb are marked by God, while followers of the beast are marked by the beast, symbolising a choice between allegiance to God and His Kingdom or allegiance to worldly power.
• This beast is identified as the “false prophet” (Revelation 16:13; 19:20), a figure who deceives people into worshipping the first beast (the Antichrist). The fact that it comes from the earth rather than the sea could imply a false authority that claims to be rooted in truth or faithfulness but is deceptive.

Summary

In the Bible, a “beast” symbolises corrupt, oppressive powers, evil-doers, that stand in opposition to God and His people, the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. These may be earthly empires, ideologies, or leaders characterised by violence, deception, and blasphemy. The symbolism of the beast serves as a warning to God’s people to resist allegiance to such powers and remain faithful to God, as these powers are ultimately doomed to fall before the Kingdom of God. The image of the beast provides a lens for interpreting any worldly system that attempts to supplant God’s authority and lead people away from the one true faith.

Coming Up Out of the Earth

Where this beast comes from is important. In biblical apocalyptic and prophetic symbolism, the “sea” and the “land” (or alternatively “earth”) indeed carry significant and distinct connotations. Here’s a look at of how the sea and the land are used symbolically in the Bible and how they relate to authority:

1. The Sea as Symbolic of Chaos, Worldly Power, and Political Authority

• Chaos and Evil: In ancient Near Eastern and biblical imagery, the sea often represents chaos, danger, and forces that are opposed to God’s order. For instance, the sea was considered a place of unknown, chaotic powers, as reflected in stories like those of the great sea creatures Leviathan and Rahab, which symbolize chaotic and rebellious forces (Job 41:1; Psalm 74:13-14; Isaiah 27:1).
• Political Authority and Opposing Powers: In prophetic visions, particularly in Daniel and Revelation, beasts rising from the sea are associated with earthly empires or political powers that oppose God’s people. In Daniel 7:2-3, four beasts rise from the sea, symbolising various oppressive empires. Similarly, in Revelation 13:1, the first beast rises from the sea and is usually interpreted as a symbol of worldly or political authority, representing an empire or a conglomerate of powers that opposes God’s Kingdom.
• The Gentile Nations: In Jewish thought, the sea was sometimes associated with the Gentile nations—those outside the covenant with Israel—whereas the land, especially the “Holy Land,” symbolised Israel and God’s chosen people. In Revelation, the beast from the sea could symbolise oppressive, godless nations or worldly kingdoms. Recall the the “New Israel”, that of the New Testament, is the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.

2. The Land as Symbolic of Stability, Foundation, and Religious Authority

• God’s Promised Land: The land, especially in the Old Testament, is often viewed as a stable, foundational place, symbolizing God’s covenant with His people. The “land” (eretz in Hebrew) usually refers to the promised land of Israel, representing God’s faithful people and the place where God’s covenant is established.
• Religious Authority and Apparent Righteousness: In Revelation 13:11, the second beast rises from the earth (or land), which some interpret as representing false religious authority or deception within a religious context. This beast has a lamb-like appearance but speaks as a dragon, indicating a form of authority that appears righteous or Christ-like but is actually deceptive, promoting allegiance to the first beast (the sea beast or worldly authority).
• Stability and Trustworthiness: In contrast to the chaotic and unpredictable sea, the land can symbolize stability and reliability. When something rises from the land, it may imply an appearance of being grounded, stable, and trustworthy, which adds to the deceptive nature of the second beast in Revelation 13. The earth beast’s association with the land may signify an influence that claims a spiritual foundation or moral legitimacy but, in reality, is aligned with falsehood.

3. Examples in the Bible and Revelation of Sea and Land Imagery

• Daniel’s Beasts from the Sea: In Daniel 7, beasts emerge from the sea, representing political empires that oppose God’s people and God’s authority. These powers arise from a chaotic, Gentile-dominated world.
• Revelation’s Two Beasts: In Revelation 13, the beast from the sea is linked with worldly, political powers—an empire or a force that exercises dominance and oppression. The beast from the land, which appears later, is described as the “false prophet” in later chapters (Revelation 16:13; 19:20) and is often associated with deceptive, religious-like authority that encourages worship of the first beast. This distinction between sea and land helps to symbolise the different forms of opposition to God: one overtly political and oppressive, the other deceptively religious or ideological.
• The Absence of the Sea in the New Creation: In Revelation 21:1, John notes, “and the sea was no more,” which many interpret as the final removal of chaos, evil, and the worldly forces that oppose God’s Kingdom. In the new creation, the sources of opposition, instability, and rebellion are entirely removed, symbolized by the absence of the sea.

Summary

While the Bible does not always represent the sea as political / worldly and the land as religious, these symbolic associations do appear, particularly in apocalyptic literature. In Revelation, the sea represents the chaotic, rebellious forces of worldly power, while the land symbolises a stable foundation, though at times it can be associated with deceptive religious authority (as with the second beast). This use of sea and land imagery serves to differentiate between the types of opposition to God—one coming through external power and oppression, and the other through internal deception and false religiosity.

• The first beast (Apocalypse 13:1) rises from the sea and is often interpreted as a political power or empire with dominion over many nations. The second beast arises from the earth and is frequently interpreted as a religious or ideological power, symbolising false prophets or deceptive authority that encourages people to worship the first beast.
• These beasts work together to oppose God’s Kingdom, deceive people, and lead them into false worship. The beasts are part of a “counterfeit trinity” with the dragon (identified with Satan in Revelation 12:9), mimicking the Holy Trinity but with evil intent, drawing people away from God.

Had Two Horns

In biblical symbolism, “horns” represent strength, power, authority, and sometimes kings or kingdoms. This imagery is consistent across both the Old and New Testaments, especially in prophetic and apocalyptic literature. The association between horns and power likely derives from observing animals like rams, bulls, and goats, whose horns are their primary means of defence and dominance.

Here’s a closer look at the meaning of horns in the Bible and the story behind the depiction of Moses with horns:

1. Symbolism of Horns in the Bible

• Power and Strength: In ancient Israel, horns symbolized strength and power, as the horned animals were considered powerful and dominant. For instance, in Deuteronomy 33:17, the tribe of Joseph is blessed with the imagery of a powerful ox with “horns like the horns of a wild ox,” symbolizing the tribe’s strength and ability to conquer.
• Royal Authority and Kings: Horns often represent authority or kingship. For example, in 1 Samuel 2:10, the “horn of his anointed” refers to the strength and authority that God bestows upon a king or leader.
• Kingdoms and Political Power in Apocalyptic Literature: In Daniel and Revelation, horns are symbolic of kings or kingdoms. Daniel 7 describes a vision of four beasts, each representing a different kingdom, and horns on these beasts symbolize individual kings or powers within those kingdoms. Likewise, in Revelation 17:12, the ten horns on the beast represent ten kings who will receive power with the beast.
• Divine Protection and Deliverance: The horn can also symbolize God’s protection and power. In Psalm 18:2, David describes God as the “horn of my salvation,” emphasizing God’s strength and role as a protector.

2. Moses and the “Horns” in Art and Interpretation

• The Hebrew Word for “Shining” and “Horns”: The association of Moses with horns comes from a translation ambiguity in Exodus 34:29-35, where it describes Moses’ face as radiant after speaking with God. The Hebrew word used in this passage, qaran, can mean “to shine” or “to emit rays,” but it is derived from the word for “horn.” The literal translation would imply “horns of light” or “rays of light” emanating from Moses’ face. Horns is appropriate because they symbolise authority, which Moses had for the Hebrew people and the covenant of that time.
• The Vulgate Translation: When St. Jerome translated the Bible into Latin (the Vulgate), he rendered qaran as cornuta, meaning “horned.” The Douay-Rheims English translation, which is based on the Vulgate, has verses 29-30 of “And when Moses came down from the mount Sinai, he held the two tables of the testimony, and he knew not that his face was horned from the conversation of the Lord. And Aaron and the children of Israel seeing the face of Moses horned, were afraid to come near.” This choice led to centuries of artistic depictions of Moses with literal horns. Jerome’s translation was likely influenced by the dual meaning of the Hebrew word, interpreting it as Moses having “horns” rather than “rays of light.” Though most scholars agree that the original text intended to convey radiant light, Jerome’s translation persisted, influencing art, including Michelangelo’s famous sculpture of Moses with horns.
• Symbolism of Moses’ Radiance: The intended symbolism is that Moses’ face shone with the glory of God after being in God’s presence. This radiance symbolised divine authority and holiness rather than physical horns. When Moses descended from Mount Sinai with his face shining, it was a sign of God’s glory and the divine favour he had received.

3. Horns as Symbolic of Spiritual and Divine Power

• Altar Horns: The altar in the Tabernacle and the Temple had horns at its four corners (Exodus 27:2; 1 Kings 1:50). These horns symbolized the altar’s sanctity and were places of refuge; grabbing onto the horns of the altar was sometimes a plea for mercy.
• Messianic Prophecies: Horns are also used in messianic prophecies. For example, in Luke 1:69, Zechariah refers to Jesus as a “horn of salvation” raised up in the house of David. This “horn” represents God’s power to deliver His people through the Messiah.

4. Summary of Biblical Horn Symbolism

• Horns in biblical symbolism generally represent power, authority, and protection, whether in reference to kings, kingdoms, or God’s protective strength. In prophetic literature, horns often denote the authority of specific leaders or nations.
• Moses’ “Horns” were likely a mistranslation, where a word meaning “radiant” was understood as “horned.” Although depictions of Moses with horns became popular in art, the biblical passage intends to convey his shining countenance after encountering God.

In sum, horns in the Bible are powerful symbols of authority and strength, and the case of Moses’ horns serves as an interesting example of how translation choices can impact interpretation and artistic representation.

Like a Lamb

In the Bible, the symbolism of the lamb is rich and multifaceted, primarily representing innocence, sacrifice, and redemption. The lamb is a powerful symbol that spans both the Old and New Testaments, culminating in the image of Jesus Christ as the “Lamb of God” who takes away the sins of the world. Here’s a closer look at the biblical symbolism of the lamb:

1. Innocence and Purity

• Lambs are gentle, innocent animals, and in ancient Israel, they were regarded as pure and blameless. The lamb’s purity makes it an ideal symbol for innocence and the holiness of God.
• This idea of purity is carried into the New Testament, where Jesus, who lived a sinless life, is described as a “lamb without blemish or spot” (1 Peter 1:19). This signifies His moral and spiritual perfection, making Him the perfect sacrifice for humanity.

2. Sacrifice and Atonement

• In the Old Testament, lambs were used as sacrificial animals, especially in the context of atonement for sin. Sacrificing a lamb was a way of seeking reconciliation with God, and lambs were often sacrificed during important religious ceremonies.
• The Passover Lamb: One of the most significant uses of the lamb in the Old Testament is in the story of the Passover (Exodus 12). Before the Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt, God instructed each family to sacrifice a lamb and smear its blood on the doorposts. This sign marked the households for protection so that the angel of death would “pass over” them, sparing their firstborn. This lamb’s sacrifice symbolized salvation, freedom, and deliverance from death.
• Daily Temple Sacrifices: The lamb was also sacrificed daily in the Temple in Jerusalem as a burnt offering for the sins of Israel. These sacrifices emphasized the need for ongoing repentance and atonement, foreshadowing the ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus.

3. The Lamb of God

• The title “Lamb of God” is given to Jesus by John the Baptist in John 1:29: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” This title emphasizes that Jesus is the ultimate sacrificial lamb whose death would atone for the sins of humanity.
• Jesus, as the Lamb of God, fulfills and surpasses the sacrificial system of the Old Testament. His sacrifice on the cross is seen as the final and perfect offering, rendering the Old Testament sacrifices no longer necessary (Hebrews 10:10).
• The Lamb of God imagery highlights both Jesus’ role as a willing, innocent victim and the depth of God’s love, as He gave His only Son as a sacrifice for humanity.

4. Redemption and Victory in the Book of Revelation

• In the Book of Revelation, the lamb is a central figure representing Christ’s redemptive and victorious role. In Revelation 5, John describes a vision of a Lamb “standing, as though it had been slain” (Revelation 5:6). Although wounded, the Lamb is alive, symbolizing Jesus’ victory over death through His resurrection.
• The Lamb is worthy to open the scroll, signifying authority and power given to Him by God. This symbolizes that Jesus, through His sacrifice, has authority over the ultimate destiny of creation.
• In Revelation 7:17, the Lamb is also described as a shepherd who will guide His people to “springs of living water,” showing that Jesus not only sacrificed Himself for humanity but also continues to care for and lead His followers.

5. Gentleness and Meekness

• The lamb represents gentleness and meekness, traits that Jesus exemplified. Isaiah 53:7 prophetically describes the Messiah as a suffering servant, saying, “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent.”
• This verse highlights Jesus’ humility and His willingness to endure suffering without protest. Jesus embodied these qualities throughout His life, especially in His passion and crucifixion, where He submitted to God’s will for the sake of humanity’s salvation.

6. Judgment and the Lamb

• Interestingly, the lamb in Revelation is not only a symbol of sacrifice but also one of authority and judgment. In Revelation 6:16, those who oppose God fear “the wrath of the Lamb.” This paradoxical phrase emphasizes that, while the lamb is meek and gentle, it also has the power to judge and execute God’s justice.
• This duality of the lamb—both gentle and powerful—points to Christ’s complete nature as both Savior and Judge. He is merciful and offers salvation, but He also holds the authority to judge the world in righteousness.

Summary

The lamb in biblical symbolism is a profound image of innocence, sacrificial love, and redemptive power. It represents the qualities of meekness, purity, and ultimate sacrifice, fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who is called the Lamb of God. The lamb’s role in both salvation (through Jesus’ sacrifice) and judgement (as seen in Revelation) highlights its multifaceted significance. This symbolism conveys the deep theological truth of Jesus’ love and humility in laying down His life for humanity, as well as His authority over life, death, and final judgement. Through the lamb, the Bible reveals the nature of God’s redemptive plan and invites believers to embrace Jesus’ gift of salvation.

Spoke as a Dragon

The dragon in the Bible symbolises powerful, chaotic, and malevolent forces that oppose God and His people. This symbol appears most notably in apocalyptic literature, particularly in the Book of Revelation, and is also present in various other passages. The dragon embodies themes of evil, destruction, deception, and rebellion against divine order. Here’s a look at the symbolism of the dragon in the Bible:

1. The Dragon as a Symbol of Chaos and Evil

• The dragon is often associated with chaos and primeval forces that disrupt God’s order. This connection draws on ancient Near Eastern mythology, where dragons or sea monsters symbolized untamed, destructive power. For instance, the Canaanite god Baal was said to have conquered a sea monster, symbolizing his victory over chaos.
• In the Bible, God is portrayed as conquering chaotic forces that oppose His creation. This is seen in the Psalms and in prophetic literature where God defeats sea creatures like Leviathan and Rahab, which are dragon-like figures representing chaos and evil (Psalm 74:13-14; Isaiah 27:1; Job 41).

2. The Dragon in the Book of Revelation

• In the Book of Revelation, the dragon is explicitly identified with Satan, the devil. Revelation 12:9 describes the dragon as “that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world.” Here, the dragon is a powerful, menacing creature that symbolises Satan’s role as the ultimate adversary of God and His people.
• The War in Heaven (Revelation 12): In Revelation 12, the dragon is depicted as waging war against the woman (often interpreted as representing Israel, Mary, or the Church) and her child (interpreted as Christ). The dragon seeks to devour the child, symbolising Satan’s opposition to Jesus and God’s plan of salvation. When the child is taken to safety, the dragon is defeated by Michael and his angels and cast out of heaven.
• The Pursuit of the Woman: After being cast out of heaven, the dragon continues to pursue the woman, symbolising ongoing persecution against God’s Church. This persecution continues throughout the ages as the dragon seeks to disrupt and destroy the followers of God. This should be extremely evident today.

3. The Dragon and Its Beasts

• In Revelation 13, the dragon gives authority to two beasts—one from the sea and one from the land. The dragon’s empowerment of the beasts represents Satan’s influence over earthly and spiritual powers that oppose God. These beasts symbolize political, social, or religious systems that act as instruments of Satan, leading people away from the truth and into oppression and idolatry.
• This imagery indicates that the dragon (Satan) works through various means to oppose God’s Kingdom, often by using human institutions and ideologies to deceive and control. In the case of the Church, Satan will influence, but never totally conquer, Jesus’ Divine institution of the Catholic Church.

4. Connection to the Serpent in Genesis

• The dragon in Revelation is linked to the serpent in the Garden of Eden. The “ancient serpent” in Revelation 12:9 directly connects Satan with the serpent that tempted Adam and Eve in Genesis 3, initiating humanity’s fall into sin. This link reinforces the fact that Satan, from the beginning, has been a deceiver and adversary of humanity.
• In Genesis, the serpent is a cunning creature who subtly leads humanity into rebellion against God. In Revelation, this same figure reappears as a monstrous dragon, indicating how deception and sin have grown into more blatant opposition and violence against God’s people.

5. The Dragon as a Symbol of Deception and Destruction

• The dragon’s nature as a deceiver and destroyer is central to its biblical symbolism. In Revelation, it is described as using deceptive means to lead people away from worshiping God. This is evident in how the dragon empowers the second beast, the “false prophet,” to perform signs and deceive people into worshiping the first beast (Revelation 13:13-14).
• This deception includes false doctrines, idolatry, and systems of oppression. The dragon’s goal is to turn people away from the true God and toward false powers and worldly authorities that serve its agenda.

6. God’s Ultimate Victory Over the Dragon

• Despite the power of the dragon, the Bible assures believers that God will ultimately defeat it. Revelation 20:2-3 describes the binding of the dragon (Satan) for a thousand years, a period during which he is prevented from deceiving the nations.
• In the final judgment, Satan (the dragon) is thrown into the “lake of fire” along with the beast and the false prophet (Revelation 20:10), symbolizing the ultimate defeat of evil. This imagery underscores the hope that, no matter how powerful or pervasive evil seems, God’s victory is certain and complete.

7. The Dragon as a Call to Spiritual Vigilance

• The dragon symbolizes the persistent and cunning nature of evil, which seeks to deceive, dominate, and ultimately destroy God’s people. This symbolism serves as a call for Christians to remain vigilant, discerning, and faithful to God’s truth.
• Revelation presents the dragon’s attempts to lead people astray and persecute the faithful as a part of the spiritual warfare that believers face. This calls for a response of steadfast faith, resistance to deception, and reliance on God’s protection.

Summary

In the Bible, the dragon is a potent symbol of Satan, embodying chaos, evil, deception, and rebellion against God. It appears in both the Old and New Testaments as a force of opposition to divine order and righteousness. In Revelation, the dragon directly represents Satan, who deceives the world and opposes Christ and His followers. Despite its power, the dragon is ultimately defeated by God, offering believers the assurance that good will triumph over evil. The dragon’s role in the Bible serves as a reminder of the spiritual battle between good and evil and the need for vigilance and trust in God’s ultimate victory.

Application to “Pope” Francis

In summary then, we can see how all this symbolism applies directly to Jorge Bergoglio who is this false prophet of Revelation 13:11. As an apparent pope, he comes from the land, that is from religion versus the secular world. As one with horns, a pope has the highest religious authority on earth, as the Vicar of Christ (although Francis has dropped that title in the 2020 Vatican Yearbook). In fact, as Moses had two “horns” representing his authority, you perhaps observe that the bishops’ mitre also has two horns, the points. Pope Paul VI, during his reign, cancelled the Triple Crown of the Papacy and went to a simple bishop’s mitre as the headdress. As the highest priest, authoritatively speaking, he is the most like the Lamb of God on earth. And finally, speaking like the dragon to deceive the followers of Jesus Christ, and especially in the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, will carry the greatest influence to deceive the maximum number of souls.

We see how Francis supports and promotes the evil agendas of worldly powers, such as the United Nations and globalism, particularly the sustainable development goals and Agenda 2030. Most telling was his support of closing all churches, thus preventing the sacraments, in handling the Covid situation, and his promotion of a “vaccine” that was built using aborted babies for development or testing. No dictator, however powerful, was able to close churches worldwide, but Francis did (of course there were a few pockets of resistance).

There is a connection also to Freemasonry, which does intended to destroy the Catholic Church, and that will be covered in several other articles (to be published, and will be linked here as they are published).

And considering the consequences of having a purported Pope speaking as the dragon, it is the best means that Satan has of deceiving the elect, for this is the corruption within the Church, not from any external attack.

For the modernist heretics in the Church, Francis tells them what they want to hear; the approval of their grave sins. The popular mortal sins of today are fornication, adultery (the euphemism of “divorced and remarried”), homosexual acts (not same-sex attraction which is not acted on), and transgender behaviour and mutilation, especially of children. The sycophants are happy to accept these lies.

For those with a low Catholic IQ, that is poor knowledge of the faith (Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge”), the smooth sounding lies easily fool the uneducated. A great number of Catholics are in this category, especially given the poor catechesis over the past many decades.

And for those who are more faithful, the fear of disobedience and schism, that is refusal to subject oneself to the Pope, are a powerful motivator to get them to accept lies. Blind obedience is not a virtue. Many Catholics today have a heretical understanding of papal authority and think that every word from a Pope must be obeyed without question; these are also sycophants. Some follow the recognise and resist paradigm which says that Francis is a bad pope, so they accept him as pope even though obvious heresies are promulgated. How can a heretic be pope, let alone a Catholic? The usual response is that he just spouts material heresies versus formal heresy, so Francis just remains a mistaken Pope. That, in spite of various Dubia and public letters of correction or admonitions, as if Francis cannot know the real teachings of the Church. For many, especially professional Catholics, who make their living from promoting Catholic things, being “against the pope” is bad for business.

Conclusion

To those who know their faith and have the virtue of fortitude, we are neither fooled by Francis nor intimidated that refusing his lies is schismatic or against the Church. “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach a gospel to you besides that which we have preached to you, let him be anathema.” (Galatians 1:8). We are not confused. Francis is anathema.