Revisiting The Prophecy of The Popes

Today marks a significant moment in history. News has just broken that Pope Francis has passed away. And before we say anything else, I want to say this first: may he rest in peace, and may God welcome him into heaven. Whatever your thoughts about him, this was a man who bore a heavy spiritual responsibility. He made it through Easter—one of the most sacred days in the Christian faith—and passed the very next day. That alone feels symbolic, almost as if he had a divine purpose to fulfill before departing this world.

I bring this up today because not long ago, I wrote an article about the Prophecy of the Popes. At the time, Pope Francis was gravely ill, and something in my spirit stirred. There’s been a kind of unraveling in the world lately—a spiritual erosion that feels more intense than anything I’ve felt before. And when I considered his health alongside that prophecy, it felt like something was taking shape. Today, that feeling returns stronger than ever.

About the prophecy itself, I’d say I’m about 52-48—leaning slightly toward belief. I’ve studied both sides of the argument. Critics point out inconsistencies, but the reason I lean toward belief is this: even the popes named after the prophecy surfaced were strangely in line with what Saint Malachy supposedly predicted. It’s not a slam dunk, but it’s eerie enough to give me pause.

For those unfamiliar, the Prophecy of the Popes, attributed to Saint Malachy, allegedly lists 112 short Latin phrases describing each pope in succession, ending with "Peter the Roman"—a final pope who would oversee the destruction of Rome and the judgment of the world. Many believe Pope Francis was the final one listed before this cryptic last figure.

So the question becomes: what happens next? Are we about to see the rise of the final pope? Or are we heading into the darker end-time imagery—the emergence of the false prophet foretold in the Book of Revelation (Revelation 13:11-18)? These are the things that sit heavy on my heart today.

Let’s talk about Francis for a moment. Many in the United States, especially those who support Trump or align with conservative values, did not like him. They didn’t like that he spoke out on immigration, climate, or poverty. But what were they expecting? That he’d side with any politics over his interpretations of scripture? Pope Francis spoke the words of Jesus: love your neighbor, care for the least of these, turn the other cheek. He was never going to endorse hard lines of any political or non-political movement that lacked these beliefs. That's not part of his mission. He wasn’t supposed to be politically conservative, liberal, or Democrat—his mission was to align with the Bible. Whether he truly did or not is up for debate, just as it is with all of us.

That said, I too hesitate to call any man "Holy Father." As a Christian, I believe only God deserves that title. So, I refer to him as Pope now only because that’s what the world knows him as. But titles aside, I think it's important to reflect on how Jesus viewed authority. He didn’t focus on Rome or the political system. Instead, He went straight to the heart. He spoke against hypocrisy, corruption, and spiritual pride—especially among the Pharisees and Sadducees. He focused on the soul, not the state. Jesus said, "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Mark 12:31). Imagine if we actually lived that out. No violence. No hate. No theft. No greed. Just harmony. That was always Christ’s mission: to fix the individual before the world. And that’s why, unlike today’s political and religious leaders, Jesus didn’t get entangled in the politics of His time.

And here's something profound—Jesus Himself told us that not all commandments came from God's desire, but from our own stubborn hearts. In Matthew 19:8, when questioned about divorce, Jesus says, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning." In other words, God allowed certain things not because He wanted them, but because we demanded them. This echoes a theme from the Old Testament. In 1 Samuel 8:6-7, when Israel asked for a king, it says: "But when they said, 'Give us a king to lead us,' this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. And the Lord told him: 'Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.'" Again, we see that God allows us to rule ourselves, even when it breaks His heart.

This is the world we live in now—one where God permits us to govern, even if it leads to corruption, even if it’s not what He desires. He gives us that freedom, because what He truly wants is not forced obedience, but genuine faith and love. So what do we do now? I think Pope Francis’ passing the day after Easter is a sign—if not from God directly, then a spiritual call to pay attention. In 15 to 20 days, a new Pope will be elected. And I can’t help but wonder… Is this the moment the prophecy comes true? Was Francis the last pope in the line? Or was he a precursor to the one Malachy called "Peter the Roman"? Or worse, will the next pope turn out to be the false prophet, as some believe, who ushers in the Antichrist?

Adding to that mystery, a recent BBC article reminded us that the vast majority of past popes—217 out of 266—have been Italian. It noted that cardinals often choose from among their own, and historically, they’ve favored Europeans, especially Italians. Could this mean the next pope might be the so-called Peter the Roman? It's not a guarantee, but the precedent makes you wonder. Even if the prophecy isn’t literal, it does seem to resonate with the times.

I don’t have the answers. But I do know this: now is the time to examine your life. Whether you're a believer or not, whether you’ve been close to God or far from Him, take a moment and ask yourself—are you ready for what’s coming? Are you chasing fake happiness, like a sugary snack that gives you taste but no nourishment? Are you lusting over yourself and lusting to feed your flesh only, things that will give you only temporary fulfillment? Or are you preparing your soul, feeding it with the truth, even when it’s hard to swallow?

Prophecy or not, these times feel different. And maybe that’s the real point. Whether Saint Malachy was divinely inspired or not, his words still call us to examine ourselves and the world around us.

If you’re searching for truth, if you’re hungry for something more, I invite you to come back and visit. I have articles now and more to come that will explore all things with a Christian perspective. I’m not a preacher. I’m not perfect. I have my own flaws and struggles. But I hope that in my imperfection, you might find something that lifts you higher, draws you closer to God, and helps you prepare for what’s ahead.

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"The Pope and the Prophecy" article will be linked at the bottom of the page if you want to dig deeper into the prophecy itself!