The passing of Pope Francis have reignited interest in a 900-year-old prophecy preserved in the Vatican, which predicts that Judgement Day may be upon humanity — and that Pope Francis could be the final leader of the Catholic Church.
The prophecy, known as The Prophecy of the Popes or Prophetia Sancti Malachiae Archiepiscopi, de Summis Pontificibus, was allegedly written by the 12th-century Irish bishop Saint Malachy. It is said to forecast the identities and characteristics of each pope until the end of times, culminating in the reign of the final pope, who would coincide with the prophesied apocalypse.
While some have dismissed the prophecy as apocryphal, its resurgence has sparked intrigue. The book’s prediction aligns with the final papacy occurring in the 21st century, with many now turning to it as an ominous sign following the pope’s extended illness.
The prophecy famously predicts that Pope Francis would be the last pope before Judgement Day — a day believed by some Catholics to be the final judgement of humanity, heralding the return of Jesus Christ to Earth. According to the prophecy, this apocalyptic event is slated to occur in 2027.
Pope Francis, 88, had been grappling with health issues for several months, and his ongoing hospitalization brought renewed attention to the ancient text. The Vatican confirmed his passing on April 21, 2025, prompting speculation about whether the prophecy’s timeline is drawing near.
While the prophecy has been a subject of theological and historical debate, it has remained an important part of Vatican lore, with some believers seeing it as a divine revelation and others viewing it as folklore.
In the wake of the pope’s passing, attention will now turn to the upcoming conclave that will elect his successor, with many looking to the future of the Church as it faces not only the loss of its spiritual leader but also the possibility of a prophetic end looming on the horizon.
World leaders, religious figures, and faithful Catholics continue to express their condolences, while the Vatican prepares for a period of mourning and reflection on the legacy of Pope Francis and what the future holds for the papacy.
