Yesterday, the Vatican announced the death of Pope Francis at the age of 88. The cause of death was a stroke that led to a coma and heart failure.
After his death, the world returned to a fascinating prophecy that was almost a thousand years old. In it, a 12th-century bishop predicted the end of all popes in history and the end of humanity in a series of short, cryptic messages.
The Prophecy of the Popes are a collection of 112 short and mysterious Latin phrases said to predict the future popes. These alleged prophecies were first published in 1595 by Benedictine monk Arnold de Wyon, originally written in 12th century by Saint Malachy, a Roman Catholic archbishop from Ireland. While staying in Rome, Malachy reportedly experienced a vision of all future popes, which he recorded in these cryptic phrases. The manuscript was stored in the Vatican Secret Archives and only made public around 1590. The leadership of the Roman Catholic Church has never issued an official interpretation of the writings.
The final prophecy mentions a pope named Petrus Romanus (Peter the Roman). The most widely accepted interpretation suggests this could refer to Pope Francis or his successor. After his papacy, the prophecy predicts the destruction of the city of seven hills (Rome) and Judgment Day.
Malachy’s Prophecies About the Last Popes:
– Flower of Flowers (Latin: Flos florum), Pope Paul VI (1963-78): The motto is associated with the lilies in his coat of arms – three lilies, representing the flower of all flowers.
– Of the Half Moon (Latin: De medietate lunae), Pope John Paul I (1978): Born in the diocese of Belluno (which translates to “beautiful moon”). His papacy lasted only one month – from half moon to the next half moon.
– Of the eclipse of the sun (Latin: De labore solis), Pope John Paul II (1978-2005): Born during a solar eclipse on May 18, 1920, and a partial eclipse occurred during his funeral on April 8, 2005.
– Glory of the Olive (Latin: Gloria olivae), Pope Benedict XVI (2005-2013): He was the cardinal-bishop of Velletri-Segni, which features three olive branches in its coat of arms. He chose his name after Saint Benedict, associated with the Olivetan order. He was born on Holy Saturday, April 16, 1927, connected to the events on the Mount of Olives.
The final entry in Malachy’s cryptic prophecy is notably different, forming its own paragraph. Some interpret this as a transitional period between Pope Benedict XVI and the last pope, Peter the Roman.
“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 will be destroyed, and the dreadful judge will judge his people. The End.”
The “city of seven hills” refers to Rome, and the “dreadful Judge” is interpreted as Jesus Christ. While popular opinion often associates this prophecy with Pope Francis, some scholars argue that the final entry should be read as two separate phrases, suggesting another pope—Peter the Roman—will follow.
Pope Francis’s funeral will be held on Saturday, beginning with a funeral Mass at 10 AM, presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. Tomorrow at 9 AM, his remains will be transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful can say their final goodbyes. Pope Francis currently lies in the chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae, where he resided.
If the Prophecies of Saint Malachy hold true, Pope Francis could be the penultimate pope, followed by Peter the Roman, who would lead the Church through its final tribulations before the end of the world. This theory, according to many, is also supported by a visual clue in Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, where portraits of all the popes are displayed. Following the death of Pope Francis, only one empty space remains in the oval frame area.
Three cardinals are currently considered possible successors to Pope Francis who may be connected to the name Peter the Roman: Cardinal Peter Erdo (72) from Hungary, Cardinal Pietro Parolin (70) from Italy and Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson (76) from Ghana.
