Dred, I also found it interesting Pope Francis repeatedly asked for people to pray for him. I can see saying it once. It could be that he fears for his life or maybe he senses that he is being used as a pawn and might fear he is a modern day Judas. It is difficult to say and maybe I shouldn't even speculate. But there is a feeling that something is not right. The Prophecy of the Popes indicates that this is either the final pope (Peter the Roman) or possibly the next to last. There is some possible technicality that leaves it a bit up in the air. This pope is clearly different and I am leaning toward the likelihood that the prophecy is true and he is either the last or is setting things up for the last pope. The events in the world only seem to support we are in those days. Interestingly there are supposed to be 112 popes from the time of St. Malachy beginning with Pope Celestine II, who died in 1144. Pope 111 (there's that number again) would be the final pope before the one who reigns over the destruction of Rome and the final judgement. The 111th pope is described as "The Glory of the Olive," which would most likely be referring to Israel.
"In the final persecution of the Holy Roman Church, there will sit Peter the Roman, who will pasture his sheep in many tribulations, and when these things are finished, the city of seven hills [Rome] will be destroyed, and the dreadful judge will judge his people. The End."