Germany has a new chancellor. The world has a new pope. Canada has a new prime minister. And America is taking the world on a new course as its president begins a new term. This is a time of disruption and upheaval in world events, and these leaders will accelerate the trend.

In this Trumpet, we look at what Bible prophecy says to expect. We will see how much the world could change under new leaders in Germany, the Vatican, Canada, the U.S. and elsewhere.

I want to underscore two of the most important personalities in end-time Bible prophecy: 1) a man, most likely German, leading a unified European empire, and 2) a man leading the church associated with that empire. Prophecy is clear that these two men will lead a church-state union that changes the world.

It so happened that, within two days, Germany got a new chancellor and the Catholic Church got a new pope. Friedrich Merz was installed on Tuesday, May 6; Robert Prevost was elected Pope Leo xiv on Thursday, May 8. What is the significance of this unprecedented alignment of events? Many people who are familiar with our message have been asking that question.

This Trumpet looks at the new chancellor and what he means for Germany (article, page 2). We look back at Pope Francis and the legacy he left (page 5). We look at the new pope and where he may take the Catholic Church (page 8). And we consider how each of these men advances Bible prophecy.

To evaluate these events, you need to know what the Bible prophesies about these two end-time personalities. These men will lead a resurrection of the dangerous and bloody Holy Roman Empire. The Trumpet has warned of this from our earliest issues 35 years ago. (Read an in-depth study of this in our free book The Holy Roman Empire in Prophecy.) Herbert W. Armstrong warned of the same thing for decades before us. (Read this in his booklet Who or What Is the Prophetic Beast?, which we also publish and distribute freely.)

This empire is described symbolically in Revelation 17 as “a woman sit[ting] upon a scarlet coloured beast” that has seven heads and 10 horns. The “seven heads” represent seven revivals of this medieval empire that occurred in Europe over the last 15 centuries. The 10 horns represent “ten kings” (verse 12) ruling over 10 unified European states. These 10 will be governed by one overarching strongman, most likely separate from them all and here called “the beast” (verse 13). The woman symbolizes a universalist church that spiritually unifies and guides this political-military superpower.

Many prophecies forewarn that the European strongman and the head of that church will work together to unleash unparalleled suffering on the world! This will affect world trade, Middle Eastern powers, Asian powers, America and Britain—and you!

Based on those prophecies, I don’t believe Chancellor Merz and Pope Leo xiv will form this tandem of leaders. However, as you will read in this Trumpet, both could pave the way for the emergence of these two end-time leaders.

In several ways, Pope Leo xiv does not fit the picture in these prophecies. I do not expect him to remain pope for long. Still, he may set the stage for a more ambitious and aggressive pope.

Germany’s direction under Chancellor Merz is already more defined and clearly in line with Bible prophecy. He is Roman Catholic, as are many of his appointed ministers. He seeks European unity and independence from the United States. Even before taking office, he enabled the largest boost in German military spending since World War ii, leading parliament to pass a constitutional change that allows it to borrow money and spend hundreds of billions on infrastructure and weaponry.

Most notably, the man we believe will be the overarching king, the beast of Revelation 17, seems already to be exerting influence over Germany through Merz’s government. We have watched this man for more than 15 years to take on such a guiding role. Now he is not only an advocate of the new government but there are strong indications he is shaping its policies.

It appears Friedrich Merz is not just another German chancellor who speeds up the fulfillment of Bible prophecy, but may himself play a role in its coming to pass. I believe Merz could be one of Europe’s prophesied 10 kings. Time will tell.

The direction of Germany. The European strongman. The increasing power of the Vatican. The world economic realignment. These are exhilarating prophecies leading to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ! The Bible does not reveal the names of these individuals, but we can determine that by the fruits of their works. Some may already be working in the open. Others are working in the background. One thing is sure: These prophecies are about to be fulfilled!