The Pope and the Prophecy, some believe the fulfillment may come to pass sooner than later

The Pope’s Declining Health and the Prophecy That Haunts the Vatican

The Vatican has long been a place of whispered secrets and holy reverence, but lately, the murmurs have grown louder. Pope Francis' health is deteriorating, and while the official statements attempt to soften the reality, the truth remains evident: the 87-year-old pontiff is struggling. His frail figure and increasing hospital visits paint a picture of a leader whose time is running short. But to some, his declining health is more than just a matter of human mortality—it is the fulfillment of an ancient prophecy that has long hung over the Church like a specter.

The Prophecy of the Popes, attributed to Saint Malachy, is a mysterious document that has fascinated and terrified scholars for centuries. Allegedly penned in the 12th century, it lists a series of cryptic phrases, each believed to correspond to a different Pope. The most chilling aspect? The list ends. And Pope Francis is widely believed to be the final name before its ominous conclusion. So what does this all mean? Here are some speculations.

1. The Antichrist May Appear – Some believe the final pope either ushers in the Antichrist or is himself the False Prophet described in Revelation 13, working alongside the Beast.

2. The Great Tribulation Begins – Others suggest this signals the beginning of the seven-year Tribulation period, as described in biblical eschatology (Daniel, Revelation).

3. The Destruction of Rome (Seven Hills) – The prophecy suggests Rome (or possibly the Vatican) will be destroyed, which aligns with Revelation 17-18, where the “Whore of Babylon” (often associated with Rome) is judged.

4. The End of the World – The final line suggests a divine judgment, possibly leading to the Second Coming of Christ and the end of this age.

According to the prophecy, the last Pope—referred to as Petrus Romanus, or Peter the Roman—will lead the Church during a time of great tribulation, culminating in the destruction of Rome and, perhaps, the very institution of the Papacy itself. While Francis does not bear the name Peter, many theorists argue that his Jesuit roots and deep ties to Rome symbolically align him with the prophecy’s final warning. If this is to be believed, his failing health could be the final act of a centuries-old prediction, a harbinger of catastrophic change.

Some see this as little more than medieval superstition, a doomsday myth that gains traction whenever the Church finds itself in turmoil. But others, looking at the state of the world—the fractures within the Vatican, the increasing divide between conservative and progressive factions, the global instability and wars shaking every continent—find it difficult to ignore the unsettling synchronicities. Even within the highest levels of the Church, there is an undeniable sense of transition, as if the Vatican itself is bracing for an inevitable shift, one that could alter the fabric of Catholicism forever.

So, what happens if the prophecy is true? Does the Church collapse? Does a new spiritual order rise from its ashes? Or is this merely the cycle of history repeating itself, with every Pope’s decline bringing forth whispers of doom, only for the Church to endure, as it always has? Or maybe Peter the Roman will be next up if Francis isn't the one as some have speculated, since there may have been a cheat (we will talk more about that below). No one can say for certain, but the eyes of the faithful—and the skeptical—are watching closely. As Pope Francis' frailty becomes more apparent, so too does the shadow of the prophecy, stretching long over St. Peter’s Basilica, whispering that the end may not just be near—it may already be here.

But wait just a minute! Before we get too doom and gloom, let me offer up more arguments and history.

When Were the Writings First Found?

The Prophecy of the Popes, attributed to Saint Malachy, has been widely debated and, in many scholarly circles, largely debunked. Here’s what we know: The prophecy was first published in 1595 by a Benedictine monk named Arnold de Wyon in his book Lignum Vitae. According to de Wyon, the prophecy was written by Saint Malachy, a 12th-century Irish bishop, during a visit to Rome in 1139. Malachy supposedly had a vision of all future popes, ending with the final Pope—Petrus Romanus—who would lead the Church during its ultimate tribulation. However, there is no record of these writings before 1595, over 450 years after Malachy’s death. No medieval historians, Church officials, or contemporaries of Malachy mention the prophecy before then.

Has the Prophecy Been Debunked?

Many historians and scholars believe the Prophecy of the Popes was a 16th-century forgery, created to influence papal elections. Here’s why:

1. The First 74 Popes Fit Too Well

   • The first 74 descriptions (up to Pope Urban VII in 1590) are remarkably accurate, often matching exact papal heraldry, coat of arms, or personal histories.

   • This suggests that whoever wrote it already knew these Popes, making it more likely that it was written after the fact rather than being a true prophecy.

2. The Last Few Popes Are Vague and Less Accurate

   • After 1590, the descriptions become much more generic and ambiguous, making them open to broad interpretation.

   • This pattern is typical of prophecies written after the fact—detailed for known events, vague for the unknown future.

3. No Contemporary Mentions Before 1595

   • The Vatican archives and medieval historians make no mention of Malachy's prophecy until de Wyon published it.

   • If Malachy truly wrote it in the 1100s, it would likely have been referenced much earlier.

4. Suspected Political Motives

   • Some historians believe the prophecy was forged to support Cardinal Girolamo Simoncelli in the 1590 papal election.

   • The prophecy’s final “accurate” descriptions conveniently end right before Simoncelli was expected to be elected, hinting it was used to sway the College of Cardinals.

Does That Mean It’s Completely False?

While the evidence strongly suggests a forgery, the prophecy remains eerily compelling to believers. The descriptions, while vague, have been loosely applied to modern Popes, and the idea that we are nearing the end of the papal lineage intrigues many.

If True, Could There Be a Vatican "Cheat" to the Prophecy?

The Pope before Francis was Pope Benedict XVI, who made history by resigning in 2013, becoming the first Pope to step down in nearly 600 years. His resignation was unprecedented in modern times, as Popes traditionally serve until death. Benedict cited his declining health and inability to fulfill the duties of the Papacy as his reasons for stepping down.

For those who take the Prophecy of the Popes seriously, Benedict XVI’s resignation presents an interesting loophole. If the prophecy is accurate and Pope Francis is supposed to be the final Pope (Petrus Romanus), then technically, Benedict XVI's unexpected resignation may have altered the sequence of succession in a way that wasn’t foreseen.

Some conspiracy theorists argue that the Vatican saw the prophecy coming true and made a strategic move—having Benedict resign so that the "final Pope" could be selected under controlled circumstances, rather than by natural succession. In this view, Francis is not the true successor but rather an engineered papacy, prolonging the inevitable fulfillment of the prophecy.

The question remains: Is it just another example of self-fulfilling prophecy, or could there be something more to it? Whether it’s an elaborate hoax or a true mystical vision, it continues to haunt the imagination of those watching the Vatican’s every move. As I mentioned before, Jesus told us to understand the signs of the times. Whether this prophecy is true or not, as a believer, you should recognize where we are today.

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