People seem to have the wrong interpretation of "Petrus Romanus." Initially, I wanted the final pope to be some dude named Pete just to freak everyone out, but from the beginning, it was obvious that "Petrus Romanus" is meant to bookend the prophecy of St. Malachy and it is not a reference to the identity of the final pope. Rather, it's a reference to St. Peter, considered to be the first Pope of Rome (Peter the Roman).

All the prophecy is saying is that the Great Tribulation occurs during the papacy of this current pope that succeeds Benedict XVI, and that during the reign of this final pope, the spirit of St. Peter (Peter the Roman, a.k.a. Petrus Romanus) will feed his flock (Catholics from around the world) as the world comes to an end. The Vatican has left us some fantastic hints that corroborate this interpretation via Pope Francis's selection of the ring of St. Peter for his papal ring, and the resurrection of St. Peter on November 24th (the unveiling of St. Peter's bones). This is the best hint that the Vatican could have given that the time of Petrus Romanus has arrived. The resurrection of St. Peter is a hint that the Great Tribulation is now set to occur. Bring it on....