The pope is the vicar of Christ and as such is the leader of the faith. Christ gave Peter the keys "and upon this rock I shall build my Church." From this we have an unbroken line of authority
No one knows the end of time. Just live your life faithfully according to the laws of Christ's Church.

Greg, Chanhassen, USA

There is a place in scripture that tells that the end of the world will come when the Sacrifice ceases to be. What is this Sacrifice. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. As long as someone out there is still saying the Traditional Latin Tridentine Mass, we don't have to worry about the end times.

Scott LaLonde, Green Bay WI, USA

The " falling away" began when paganism crept into the early Christian church long ago. There are many teachings in the churches today that are not taught in the BIble. Such as praying to dead people, working our way to gain salvation, & worshiping on the 1st day of the week.

Donna, Woodlawn, USA

I say this in love. Where in the Bible does Mary have anything to say about the last days? Jesus does know the time of the end. Not while He was on earth but He does now. Rev 1:1 says "The revelation of Jesus Christ..(can't reveal what He doesn't know.) God sent his Spirit as our vicar not the pope.

Kelly, Oklahoma, USA

Read the Scriptures, read the Scriptures, and re-read the Scriptures. No man knows the day or the hour, as Paul and Christ both affirm (Matt 24:36)... But Christ says that we can discern the "seasons" and gave us signs to watch for when the "end of the AGE" is near (Matt 24 32.33). Not world's end

Jan, Muskogee, USA

The "falling away" began when paganism crept into the early church many years ago. There are teachings in the churches today that are not found in the Bible such as praying to dead people, working one's way to gain salvation & worshiping on the 1st day of the week. May we each pray for truth.

Donna, Woodlawn, USA

Be not afraid! The rise of a decadant society is a sure sign of ill to come. Bad signs are all around in plain sight but I see good signs also, that are more quiet and patient. There is hope for the future, though civiliation may not be as we know it. Merry CHRISTmas! Peace to men of good will!

Barbara, Bowling Green, USA

STUDY your bible,all the signs ARE here. Don't put your trust in man. Trust God's word.

ben goldman, Louisville,

The Pope is a man but the vicor of Christ just like St Peter was.
He has the authority of Jesus Christ which was handed down to him by the apostles. Read your History and Bible in hand before you judge the pope.

joe, yorktown, usa

WE must remember the most important focus of our lives--to show God and others REAL-GENUINE LOVE! God is very fair to all and will give everyone a chance to be in HIS Kingdom. He wants our hearts to be pure as gold and may have to refine a few in the Lake of Fire, but ALL will be with him.

Eric, NYC, USA

I don't worry about the end of the world. That's part of God's plan and its in His hands. On the other hand, we will each probably die before Christ's second coming. Maybe we should reflect on that end, in order to better live in a state of grace.

Joe, San Francisco, CA, USA

No one knows when Christ will return, but we are to expect him imminently. Who the heck is the pope to say Christ is not coming yet? I am so sick and tired of MERE MEN being revered as if God. This is just a man, this pope like all other popes, may not even be a true saint, which means a BELIEVER.

Jo, LA, USA

The end of the world may not be nigh, but the end of this era certainly is. All credible prophets and especially Mary herself confirm that we are living in the end times and that God is going to transform His creation into the Kingdom of His Son.
Pray, pray, pray!

Peter Klos, utrecht, holland

The Pope is correct. The Medjogorie Messages of Our Lady continues to stress PEACE in a peaceless world.

May we pray and sing aloud for The Peaceful Someday
Rejoice Rejoice and Know That Jesus is The King.

As recording artist Thom Meinert sings, Peaceful Someday to all. A Blessed Christmas!

Bill, New York, USA

You guys need to see what this guy has in his first and second document study at the link provided. Not only does it show with prophetic accuracy the date Christ died and rose from the dead but portrays how the Anti-Christ will manifest.
http://www.chrystalkincaid.com/studies/

todd Vetter, Navarre, Florida

People, People,
Remember, no one knows the time and date, not even the Son. Only the Father. So why is everyone running around like Chicken Littles? Your day of Judgment can come tomorrow, when you get nailed by a car. Follow His two commandments. May Truth be with you.

Justic, Atlanta, U.S.A.

What is more important is a call to conversion . Jesus said that no one will know the actual time of his coming. For many, the end of the world has already come , for they have left this world.What is important is we ready our souls for He can call any time as we see in Mumbai.

joechia, Jerteh, Malaysia

The return of Christ is imminent. In the beginning of the last 3 1/2 years, there are God's two witneses/prophets announcing the end of this age and the coming of God's Kingdom, (Rev. 11). Jesus who opens the Seals of Revelation knew exactly what & when things happen and reveals them to the witneses

Lynn Nguyen, Phoenix, USA

The headline does not reflect the content of the article--He merely explained what is common Christian understanding of the last days.

Anyone who has eyes can see that the great apostasy has already occurred. Even an athisest would be inclined to admit so.

Jeniffer, Post Falls Idaho, U.S.

His Holiness comnents are reassuring. Frankly, I never worried that the end of the world was near but am afraid that our church is loosing credibility. Is it true that membership shrinks alarmingly, fewer Catholics attend mass regularly, marry in Church and raise their children together?

E. Paul Imhof, Santa Barbara, CA, USA

Follow the good bishops and do not be afraid.

Our Lady of America foretold of these events in 1956 when she appeared to a young nun in Rome City, IN. She asked to be honored in the National Basilica in Washington, DC as Our Lady of America, The Immaculate Virgin.

Go to www.oltiv.org

Tonya, Rome City, USA

Our Lord Jseus and his Mother want us to be obedient to Christ's vicar on earth, the holy father who sits on the seat of St. Peter. A true Pope has the jurisdiction from God to rule on these matters.

Emm, calgary, alberta

We have been living in the last days ever since it was said we were. The 'last days' don't necessarily mean the end of the world, but perhaps the end of an era. Hopefully the beginning of an era where people will KNOW TRUTH for who He is and no more of this bad is good and good is bad.
Donna, USA

dONNA, Louisville,

This is a timely piece. Definetely not confusing, for those that have hope in their hearts. We do live in tumultuous times that is for sure. We have just elected the most liberal left wing president. By droves people are also turning away from God. Also Bayside is for catholic dissenters.

Claudia , USA ,

I have to say I agree with the rest of you concerning the signs of the times. If we study the things in the New Testament that speak of the end of days there are more things happening now , than can be listed here, than ever before in history. Nobody is saying that it's going to happen tomorrow.

ann, Homosassa, usa

The Pope is the Vicar of Christ on Earth. There is nothing "more important than the popes". That is heresy.

Mejugorje is also not "fake", for your information. There has not been a final ruling on it.

Bayside, though, has been condemned.

Ken, Patterson NY, NUSA

Well since back in the day its been closer and closer to the end from what everyone says. Not all Marian appiritions are correct. If you see the one's that are approved they talk about whats going on in that time period. Mejugorje is fake by the way.

Blake, New Orleans,

Rob, San Diego: read the Bible, read the signs of the times as Christ exhorted us to do. The Pope has no more idea of the end time dates than any of us, according to Jesus. Only the Father knows this. We should all be ready for the imminent return of Christ who will come like a thief in the night.

Keith, Blackpool, United kingdom

Isn't the evil that we have now greater than ever before? Things that once were publicly known as immoral and wrong are being accepted as good and acceptable, and that which is moral is now strange and wrong. Isn't that a sign in istelf? Maybe not the end of the world, but something is in the air.

Edith, Bayonne, USA

Maybe his words are confusing to you but they are perfectly clear to me. Thank you Holy father for being our true pastor!

Rob , San Diego, USA

Our Lord Jesus and his Mother have both said in the Bayside Prophesies that we are currently living in the last days and that we should regularly read the Book of Revelations. The words of Jesus and Mary regarding the fact the WE are living in the last days is moreimportant than the popes!

Dawn, Racine, USA

Benedict's statement is confusing. We have to use our intellect to discern time's signs: Nobody except a few cranks are speaking of "end of the world".
On the contrary, the Scripture warn us that that the "end of times" is near.

Jacques, Cassis, France