Could the Prophecy of the Last Pope Be Unfolding Before Our Eyes?

Feb 25, 2025

Recent reports about Pope Francis's deteriorating health (ABCNews, 2025) have reignited interest in the ancient Prophecy of the Popes attributed to St. Malachy (IrishCentral, 2022; US Catholic, 2013; Howells, 2013). This prophecy, allegedly written in 1139 but first published in 1595 by Benedictine monk Arnold Wion, claims to outline the succession of 112 popes from Pope Celestine II (1143) onward, with Petrus Romanus emerging as a final figure after the 112th pope. When scholars examined the prophecies after their publication, they found the predictions for popes between 1139 and 1590 to be remarkably accurate, leading some to suspect the author had backdated these predictions. However, the prophecies for popes after 1590 have been notably less precise. Significantly, Pope Francis is the 112th pope on Malachy's list, after whom the prophecy suggests Petrus Romanus will emerge as the Catholic Church faces its greatest tribulation before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Could these unfolding events surrounding Pope Francis signify the fulfillment of this prophecy? How do these developments align with biblical eschatology, and what does it mean for believers today?

The Prophecy of the Popes

The Prophecy of the Popes is a list of Latin phrases describing each pontiff from Pope Celestine II (1143–1144) to a final pope, Peter the Roman. While skeptics argue that the early prophecies were backdated to fit historical figures, many believe the latter predictions deserve attention. Authors Thomas Horn and Cris Putnam, in their book Petrus Romanus: The Final Pope is Here, examine this prophecy's potential significance in relation to end-time events (Horn & Putnam, 2012).

According to the prophecy, the final pope would be the 112th, after whom "Peter the Roman" would emerge to lead the church through the tribulation period. Pope Francis is indeed the 112th pope on Malachy's list (Serge, 2020; IrishCentral, 2022), signifying that after him, Petrus Romanus (Peter the Roman) is said to lead during the tribulation—the period of the Antichrist's reign. Could the Antichrist be ready for the rise? If, yes, is the Church also ready from Rapture?

Many people initially confused Pope Francis with Petrus Romanus due to his position as the 112th pope on Malachy's list. However, Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is not Roman by birth or heritage. While his birth name is not Peter, some draw connections because his father's name was Peter (Mario José Francisco Bergoglio). Others drew connections regardless of his given name, citing the Catholic Church's false claim that the Apostle Peter was their first pope. As such, some interpreted Malachy's prophecy to suggest that Pope Francis (the 112th Pope) would represent a final "Peter-like" figure. This interpretation gained further support through Francis's papacy, which has featured unprecedented interfaith dialogues, calls for global unity, and progressive theological shifts—raising concerns among traditionalists that he is preparing the way for a one-world religion, an idea closely tied to the false prophet of Revelation 13:11-18.

The full text of St. Malachy's prophecy regarding the final pope, as translated from Latin, reads:

"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 [Rome] will be destroyed, and the dreadful judge will judge his people. The End." (Catholic Encyclopedia: Prophecy of St. Malachy)

This final prophecy is notably more detailed than the brief phrases used for previous popes in Malachy's list. Its specific nature has captured widespread attention, particularly on social media platforms. For instance, prominent religious figures like Pastor Chris Oyakhilome (The Preachers' Portal, 2025) and other prophecy channels (Lord Helps, 2025) have produced extensive analyses connecting current events to these prophecies. This has led many Catholics to embrace these predictions with remarkable conviction, similar to their devotion to saints and other Catholic traditions. However, it's crucial to note that the Catholic Church has never officially recognized these prophecies, and many historians consider them to be 16th-century forgeries rather than authentic 12th-century prophecies.

Signs of the Times

Recent reports indicate that high-ranking Vatican officials have secretly discussed the removal of a “heretical pope.” (Lord Helps, 2025). If these claims are true, why is there such urgency now? Could it be that Pope Francis’s policies and globalist inclinations are seen as a deviation from traditional Catholic doctrine, or is there a more profound spiritual battle taking place?

Simultaneously, Israel is facing increased turmoil, with discussions about the rebuilding of the Third Temple intensifying. The presence of the red heifer in Israel, a crucial requirement for Temple purification, has heightened speculation among prophecy watchers. The Bible warns that the Antichrist will one day declare himself as God within the Temple (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). If preparations for the Third Temple continue while the Vatican undergoes internal conflict, could these events be converging toward prophetic fulfillment?

The Role of Pope Francis and Potential Successor

One of the most controversial claims among prophecy analysts is that Pope Francis could be the false prophet described in Revelation, who will promote the Antichrist's agenda (Thiel, 2013). Francis's consistent advocacy for religious unity, environmental sustainability under global governance, and economic redistribution mirrors key aspects of the prophesied Beast's system.

Furthermore, his decision to open the Five Doors—a series of symbolic spiritual actions—has coincided with increasing global unrest. Could these acts have an unseen spiritual significance? Has Francis been deliberately preparing the way for a successor named Peter? Jesus warned that deception would be rampant in the last days (Matthew 24:24). As believers, how should we interpret these events with discernment?

What's particularly intriguing is the display of papal portraits in Rome's Basilica of St. Paul, where a hall contains mosaic portraits of every pope, with just one empty plate remaining after Pope Francis's portrait (NY Post, 2025). Many view this as significant in connection with St. Malachy's prophecy, which indicates Pope Francis will be the last pope before "Peter the Roman" takes the church through Tribulation and judgement. Could the Catholic Church be quietly acknowledging Malachy's prophecy? Notably, among the frontrunners to potentially succeed him are Cardinal Peter Turkson from Ghana, Cardinale Pierbattista Pizzaballa from Italy, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle from the Philippines, Cardinal Pietro Parolin from Italy and Cardinal Peter Erdő from Hungary (Aljazeera, 2025; Business Insider, 2025; The Guardian, 2025)— five of nine candidates (i.e. over 50%) bearing variations of the name Peter, potentially increasing the chance of having Peter succeed Francis, fulfilling the prophecy of Petrus Romanus.

Are These Catholic Prophecies Being Manipulated?

We do not buy into Catholic prophecies, nor do we accept the prophecies of Fátima. If anything, God will ensure that He is glorified and not the false prophets of Romanism. God is ultimately going to defend His glory and His name, and the word of the Lord will prevail. All things will happen as God sees fit, not necessarily as these Catholic prophecies foretell.

However, is it possible that these events are being intentionally manipulated by the Vatican, by the Jesuits, because they have a plan in mind? Could they be using these so-called prophecies to validate the faith of Romanism and to reinforce the authority of their saints? Could they even be planning to destroy the Vatican and, from its ashes, create an ecumenical one-world religious system? Might they destroy the Vatican in conjunction with rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem and make that the new palace for the next pope or the one-world leader?

While we reject Catholic prophecies as occult practices (including their veneration of saints as deities), we cannot ignore these developments, as we are indeed in the season of the Rapture. The signs of coming tribulation are clear for those who will face God's wrath under the Antichrist's rule. Time is critically short before the Rapture occurs. Perhaps God is using these various voices to awaken His elect—not by coincidence. As we observe these signs, we must avoid following occult predictions (including numerous claims about a 2025 Rapture) and instead turn to God, seeking His face and His voice to avoid deception.

We reject the St. Malachy Prophecy and its associated propaganda. When comparing these writings to Holy Scripture, the Spirit of God reveals their contradictions. The destruction of the Roman Catholic institution will unfold as described in Revelation: Chapter 17 identifies the false religion of the Antichrist, likely emerging from the merger of many religions—a path Pope Francis appears to be pursuing. Could he be leading this institution that the Bible calls "the mother of all prostitutes"? Whoever the leader is, both this institution and its supporting political system will face destruction, as prophesied in chapter 18.

The Role of Secret Societies in Preparing for the Antichrist

Pope Francis, as the first Jesuit pope, holds a unique position within the Catholic Church. The Jesuit order, known for its deep ties to secret societies and the Illuminati, has long been suspected of orchestrating global events behind the scenes. Adam Weishaupt, the founder of the Bavarian Illuminati, was both a Freemason and a Jesuit, revealing the hidden connections between these influential groups.

Jesuits have historically played a crucial role in global politics, education, and religious movements. Some researchers believe Pope Francis was selected by secret societies to fulfill a critical role in inaugurating the Antichrist’s reign. This aligns with the idea that a false religious leader will pave the way for the Antichrist, deceiving even the elect (Matthew 24:24). Could it be that Francis was strategically placed as pope to establish the groundwork for the Antichrist's system, with the intention of eventually transferring power to Peter the Roman?

A Call to Vigilance and Prayer

As we witness these developments, it is imperative to remain spiritually vigilant. The Apostle Paul exhorts believers to “test everything” and “hold on to what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Regardless of one’s stance on the Prophecy of the Popes, we cannot ignore the fact that world events are aligning with biblical prophecy in ways never seen before.

As Pope Francis’s health declines and speculation about his successor grows, we must ask ourselves: Is the world about to witness the rise of Petrus Romanus? Could this transition mark the final chapter before the return of Jesus Christ? And most importantly, are we spiritually prepared for what is to come?

Concluding Reflections

The devil operates in darkness, seeking to suppress truth in favor of deception. But Christ commands His followers to be watchful and ready. While this may be a carefully orchestrated plan by powerful forces, we must remember that God is sovereign over all human schemes. Even if some predictions about Pope Francis or a potential successor may come true, we must remember that fulfilled predictions alone don't validate their divine origin. Even occult practices and false prophets can occasionally make accurate predictions, as Scripture warns in Deuteronomy 13:1-3 and Matthew 24:24. Therefore, we cannot accept Catholic saints' divinations as genuine prophecy, regardless of their apparent accuracy.

This is not a moment for fear but for unwavering faith. Christ has promised to protect His church and remove His people before God's wrath is poured out on earth (Isaiah 26:20; Revelation 3:10, 2 Thessalonians 2:5-8). As believers, we must stay rooted in Scripture, discerning the truth amidst deception, and seeking God's wisdom in these turbulent times. Our hope remains in the promise of Christ's return, for He is the true King who will reign forever.

Are our robes washed clean in the blood of the Lamb? Jesus said that He knows His sheep and His sheep know Him and know His voice (John 10:14-16). Are you ready to hear Jesus's voice calling His people from the clouds for Rapture? Remember, only His sheep filled with the Holy Spirit will hear that voice. Are we prepared to stand firm in faith as the final pieces of biblical prophecy unfold? The answer lies not in speculation or man-made predictions but in steadfast devotion to Jesus Christ and His Word alone.

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