Ardent Catholics believe there are ominous things taking place in the Roman Catholic Church, particularly with Pope Francis’s recent announcement that priests would be allowed to bless same-sex marriages.

Referred to as a ‘spontaneous blessing,’ it was a secondary blessing added to the list of blessings that priests are allowed to give out. It was part of a Fiducia Supplicans released on Dec. 18, 2023.

Many were shocked by the announcement.

But then in late December, rumors started circulating about a strange thing that had happened to a statue of Saint Peter located at Our Lady of the Rosary of San Nicolas in Argentina.

Of course, Saint Peter is believed by the Catholic Church to be the first pope.

In what would be just one of many coincidences, Pope Francis is from Argentina.

The lightning strike actually took place on Dec. 17, 2023, the day before Pope Francis announced the blessing.

It destroyed both the halo over Saint Peter’s head and as well the right hand of the statute that held the keys to the kingdom.

Initially, everyone called this story a complete hoax, as there was no announcement of the incident by the Shrine.

However, it has since been confirmed as true.

According to the Catholic website, CatholicVote, the coincidences associated with the incident border on the bizarre.

The lightning strike took place:

• The Day before Pope Francis announced the blessing for same-sex couples on Dec. 18, 2023,
• Dec 17, also happens to be Pope Francis’ birthday. He turned 87,
• Curiously, only the halo and right hand (that gives the blessing) were destroyed by the lightning strike. The left hand holding the sword was untouched,
• The statue is protected by lightning rods, 30 feet (ca. 9 m) above the statue, making it almost impossible to hit, and
• Pope Francis is from Argentina, and his former diocese borders this shrine.

Whether it is a coincidence or not, this incident has certainly caught the attention of those in the Roman Catholic Church.

Many wonder if God was delivering a message to Catholics and some have even suggested there has been a bit of a cover-up, as the Shrine where it took place has yet to make an official announcement about the incident.

It was only confirmed when Catholic organizations sent people to the shrine to investigate.

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