I’ve never been a big fan of Fatima or, for that matter, of the many apocalyptic private revelations that seem to refer in one way or another to a disastrous papacy and possibly even an anti-Pope. But I’m beginning to wonder.
Bergoglio is not a very well-educated man and certainly not much of an intellect, but he is ambitious and loves power. He is known to have been angling for the Papacy since the prior conclave, where he received a number of votes, probably from the same Cardinals who are his inner circle (Danneels, Murphy-O’Connor, Maradiaga and Kasper) or the other cardinals lobbied by them. Most of them are now retired and are over 80, so they can’t vote in a conclave again. But the members of this geriatric band all hang out in Rome and have immense power now.
In Argentina, Bergoglio was known to be political, arbitrary and vindictive in his handling of diocesan affairs, and as Pope, he is still settling some scores in Latin America. And of course he and his friends are forcing out good bishops, replacing them with nobodies, at best, and moving non-complicit cardinals out of positions of responsibility.
I think he knows that at some point, resistance will arise, and he has been moving very quickly to neutralize it in advance. The only question to me is if he will overtly go beyond a point that makes it clear that he has rejected the teachings of the Church in favor of his own, thereby opening the way for an institutional challenge to his papacy.
But who would do that? Most of the hierarchy is much like him.
I'm not sure how well-educated this Pope is, but the Jesuits are probably the best educated priests in the Church. Obviously, they lean way left.