The Last Pope of the Old World?
The 2025 Papal Conclave, Vatican Scandal, and the Astrology of a Church in Crisis
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The doors have closed. The ballots are folded. And beneath the vaulted ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, a storm is brewing—both earthly and cosmic.
As 133 cardinal electors gather in solemn ritual for the 2025 Papal Conclave, the world watches with bated breath. But the true question isn't who will be elected pope. It's what this election says about the Catholic Church’s soul—and whether that soul still holds any weight in the modern world.
This isn’t just a vote. It’s a crossroads—one that will determine the direction, dignity, and definition of the Catholic Church in a world that’s no longer waiting for it to catch up.
The Current Sky: 2025 in Planetary Context
The astrology of this conclave is unusually volatile. With Neptune, Venus, and Mercury in Aries, there is spiritual urgency mixed with ideological aggression. Mars in Leo intensifies ego, spectacle, and public-facing power struggles. Saturn in Pisces suggests institutional fatigue and emotional finality, while Jupiter in Gemini complicates consensus by amplifying divergent viewpoints.
These are not skies of peace or clarity. These are skies of confrontation, exposure, and the last gasp of an old world trying to decide what it still believes in.
A Pattern of Fire: Papal History Under Similar Skies
The astrology of 2025 is not unique. It echoes specific celestial configurations across centuries—times when the Catholic Church faced internal crisis, spiritual fragmentation, and global scrutiny. By reviewing what happened under past alignments of Neptune, Venus, Mercury, and Saturn in Aries, with Mars in Leo, we can better understand the kind of pressure this moment exerts—and what kinds of outcomes it tends to produce.
When Neptune, Venus, Mercury, and Saturn align in Aries and Mars ignites from Leo, history has shown us one thing clearly: the Catholic Church is dragged into crisis and forced to declare its identity in the face of eroding legitimacy. These transits don’t create chaos—but they do correlate with moments when the Church is forced to choose between hiding behind ritual and rewriting its role in global power structures.
1378: The Schism Begins
As Neptune, Sun, and Venus in Aries lit the sky in April 1378, Urban VI took the papacy—only to spark the Western Schism. Two men claimed to be pope. Two courts of Rome and Avignon formed. A cosmic signal of fractured leadership matched by earthly division.
The Neptune in Aries signature manifests as a crisis of spiritual legitimacy. Mars in Leo emboldened rival factions to consolidate power theatrically. The sky reflected not ambiguity, but conflict masquerading as clarity. Today’s conclave echoes this: one pope cannot serve two Churches at war with themselves.
1536 & 1538: Paul III’s Reformative Pressure
Under similar fire skies, Pope Paul III—embattled by Protestant rebellion and internal corruption—called for reform. Aries activations emphasized urgency, and Mars in Leo forced visible leadership. He convened councils, investigated abuses, and ultimately planted seeds that would bloom in Trent.
The 2025 climate mirrors this forced clarity. These skies do not tolerate delay. Saturn in Aries then, as now, imposed pressure for institutional boundaries and demanded a plan. Paul III moved too slowly for Protestants, but just quickly enough to anchor reform. Today’s Church risks paralysis or irrelevance if it cannot act under the same cosmic conditions.
1709: Clement XI’s Humiliation and Dogma
In 1709, under Aries-Leo heat, Pope Clement XI was politically crushed by Austria. Yet instead of retreating, he doubled down on doctrinal rigidity. He condemned Jansenism, banned Chinese rites, and held tight to the idea that orthodoxy could salvage power.
Expect this pattern in 2025: a Church losing cultural relevance may answer not with openness, but with sharpening of dogma. The external world’s indifference may be met with internal absolutism. A desperate display of relevance through refusal to adapt.
1867 & 1869: Vatican I and Papal Infallibility
During the near-identical 1867–1869 Aries-Leo pattern, Pius IX lost the Papal States—but gained spiritual centralization. He convened Vatican I and established Papal Infallibility. It was a clear message: if the Church can’t hold land, it will hold truth.
2025 is positioned similarly. The Church stands on shaky ground, but could respond with a reassertion of ideological control. The next pope may not restore confidence, but he may enshrine new absolutes—especially around doctrine, identity, or authority.
A Church Torn at the Seams
Inside the walls of the Vatican, two dominant factions shape the soul of the modern Church: the traditionalists and the progressives.
The traditionalist bloc—aligned with Latin liturgy, doctrinal rigidity, and a top-down interpretation of ecclesial authority—wants a return to the pre-Vatican II Church, complete with clear moral lines and strict clerical hierarchy. They claim to defend orthodoxy, but their power plays often reveal more about control than doctrine.
The progressive wing—those seeking inclusion, decentralization, and social relevance—wants a Church that reflects the real world, not one that hides from it. They argue for synodality, broader roles for women, and a Church that acts as a servant, not a sovereign.
This conclave isn’t just a selection—it’s a standoff. The result will determine which vision survives, and which becomes footnote.
The Astrology of the Conclave
The sky above Rome during this conclave is nothing short of apocalyptic. It is charged, destabilized, and bursting with karmic weight. While the conclave plays out behind closed doors, the cosmos above mirrors the gravity of what is unfolding: a struggle between continuity and collapse, dogma and disruption, leadership and loss. This isn’t a moment of ascension—it’s a moment of confrontation with history.
Astrologically, this conclave reflects not just the personalities involved, but the deep structural and spiritual tensions that have been mounting for decades. The planetary alignments cast a light not just on who might be elected—but on why the institution is being called to the edge at all.
Venus, Mercury, and Neptune in Aries
This fiery triad is volatile, loaded with symbolism around identity, rhetoric, and spiritual direction. Venus in Aries craves direct, even combative expression of values. Mercury here doesn’t negotiate—it declares. And Neptune blurs the line between prophecy and propaganda, between moral clarity and manipulative myth.
Together, these three turn the conclave into a spiritual battleground. There’s conviction, but also confusion—each faction believes it’s carrying out divine will, yet the voices of inspiration may be distorted by ego and ideology. This is not quiet contemplation. It’s a firestorm of persuasion.
Mars in Leo
Mars is bold, brash, and fiercely visible in Leo. It gives the conclave an air of theatricality. Expect posturing, performance, and political maneuvering. This is a lion pacing the stage, eager to roar.
Mars in Leo also suggests generational pride and the assertion of authority through spectacle. It supports the elevation of a charismatic figure—someone with stage presence and symbolic weight, even if substance is secondary. The shadow? Ego-driven choices and loyalty to image over truth.
The Sun and Uranus in Taurus
Taurus governs tradition, land, and longevity. But Uranus here is a lightning bolt in the cathedral. It shakes foundations, interrupts continuity, and demands authenticity over comfort.
With the Sun conjoined Uranus, this conclave faces shocks to identity and leadership. A surprise pick? A radical voice in traditional robes? These planets foretell unexpected disruptions that challenge the old order. This is a reckoning with what can’t be preserved.
Jupiter in Gemini
Gemini is the sign of duality, of questions without easy answers. Jupiter here expands complexity, not clarity. The conclave becomes a cacophony of ideological soundbites—each faction claiming the moral high ground.
This placement fuels a global conversation, but not a unified one. It uplifts non-European candidates, champions multilingualism, and supports modernity—but at the cost of consensus.
Saturn in Pisces
The final degree of the zodiac is a threshold. Saturn here symbolizes institutional grief, spiritual fatigue, and the weight of a collapsing model.
The Church needs a pope who can hold space for disillusionment, who can mourn what’s ending instead of faking a new beginning. Saturn demands a custodian of endings, not a builder of dreams.
The Moon in Virgo
Virgo governs care, refinement, and devotional service. The Moon here reveals what the conclave truly longs for: healing, order, restoration.
This pope will need to be more administrator than oracle, more organizer than visionary. Virgo’s lesson? Rebuilding trust happens spreadsheet by spreadsheet, confession by confession.
The Top Contenders: Who's Likely and Why
Three candidates have emerged as the most credible contenders in this conclave, each representing a different strategy for institutional survival.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle: The Martyr in Modern Clothing
A known favorite among reform-minded Catholics, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines is seen as a continuation of Pope Francis’ legacy. His pastoral style, focus on the poor, and Asian background support a broader global representation.
But under this astrology, his symbolism may outpace his impact. Venus and Neptune in Aries signal idealism and projection—Tagle may appear to be the progressive pick, but Saturn in Pisces warns he may be installed not to lead but to pacify. His election would likely mark a pause in progress, not a leap forward. He fits the Martyr archetype: beloved, but structurally constrained.
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi: The Manager Cloaked in Mercy
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi of Bologna has a reputation for diplomacy, social justice, and LGBTQ outreach. But unlike Tagle, he has Vatican political experience and deep ties to Italian networks. He is seen as someone who could keep reform language alive while smoothing tensions with conservatives.
Astrologically, he is most aligned with the sky. The Moon in Virgo rewards administrative competence. Mars in Leo and Mercury in Aries favor communicative clarity and the ability to command attention. Zuppi may not be the most radical figure on paper, but under this pressure-cooker astrology, he is best positioned to emerge as the consensus candidate.
Cardinal Péter Erdő of Hungary: The Monarch Disguised
Hungary’s Cardinal Erdő has long been the favorite of traditionalist factions. An accomplished canon lawyer, he could present a polished and scholarly face while implementing a strict rollback of Francis-era reforms.
He appears moderate but is backed by conservative power blocs. The conjunction of Sun and Uranus in Taurus hints at a shock framed as stability. Erdő’s election would likely embolden the traditionalist wing and represent a decisive pivot toward centralized doctrinal enforcement.
Who’s Most Likely to Be Chosen?
Under this astrology, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi has the edge.
The Moon in Virgo rewards administrative skill and emotional intelligence—qualities that Zuppi has demonstrated consistently. This Moon reflects the Church’s longing for someone who can repair, manage, and provide stability without igniting further ideological conflict. Virgo is discerning and detailed, and Zuppi's record of navigating complexity without spectacle aligns with this lunar tone.
Mars in Leo highlights charisma, visibility, and the performative aspect of leadership. Zuppi’s ability to maintain media presence without grandstanding puts him in sync with this placement. He knows how to carry symbolic weight while staying grounded in practical outcomes.
Mercury combust in Aries presents a volatile communication environment. Zuppi’s diplomatic background may allow him to remain effective despite the surrounding noise and disarray. Where others might fan flames, he is more likely to channel this combustive energy into decisive but controlled messaging.
Jupiter in Gemini supports ideological versatility. Zuppi can speak across divides, and Jupiter here supports someone who can handle multiple audiences and beliefs. Gemini requires adaptability and fluency in duality—both traits Zuppi has demonstrated.
Saturn in Pisces asks for a realist—someone who can close a chapter. Zuppi’s ability to carry both grief and strategy may allow him to serve as the Church’s caretaker in this transitory moment. He is not a revolutionary, but under these skies, that may be precisely why he succeeds.
Erdő remains the most potent threat from the traditionalist wing, especially with the Sun and Uranus in Taurus offering the potential for a shock framed as institutional steadiness. If hardliners push, he could surge. But his rigidity contrasts too strongly with the emotional and rhetorical agility these skies demand.
Tagle, though beloved, may represent too much symbolism and not enough practical maneuverability. Under Neptune and Venus in Aries, he may appear ideal to some, but the Saturnian edge of this moment disfavors figureheads.
Zuppi is the middle ground candidate who astrologically fits the institutional needs and the transitory character of the moment. He’s not the boldest choice, but he is the most probable under this sky.
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The Final Smoke
When the bells toll, we are not hearing the sound of renewal. We are hearing the choice of how the Church intends to endure.
The election will not be a pivot—it will be a containment strategy. Expect a pope who either reasserts spiritual hierarchy, pacifies the faithful, or stabilizes the bureaucracy.
But nothing in the sky suggests rebirth. Only survival.
If the conclave of 1378 split the Church, 1536 reformed it, 1709 defied collapse, and 1869 hardened its core, then 2025 may define what remains when the fire clears.
The Church is not choosing a man. It is choosing which myth will outlive it.
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Look up,
Jenny
I went to Catholic school in the 1980s and the nuns were fairly progressive. I was taught that it’s likely in my lifetime that the American Catholic Church will break off from Rome because we are generally more progressive. When I say progressive, liberal, and conservative these are all in the context of the Catholic Church.
This is absolutely a turning point in the Catholic Church and I do think eventually we’re going to see schism part two, part three, I don’t know.
However, in the past years, conservative Catholics have grown in number, “Tradcats” or “Tradcaths.” They’re following the same pattern as Mormon, traditional wives and evangelical traditional wives.
The video makes a lot of good points, except leaves out that the church is growing in the southern hemisphere and shrinking in the northern hemisphere and their best guess is Pizzaballa with Zuppi being a compromise candidate.
As a former Catholic, I’m fascinated by papal conclaves
Historically, the Catholic Church swings back-and-forth and it’s likely that the next pope is going to be a conservative administrator because Francis was a liberal pastoral pope. He cared more about people than dogma and bureaucracy.
I did not come up with any of this except that it’s generally been acknowledged by people who watch this kind of thing for the past few years.
https://youtu.be/QlwmXDK3NX8?si=76o3eXRDXAIF2Z_c