The world was shaken this Easter Monday with the sudden death of Pope Francis, who passed away after facing a series of respiratory issues. While the news brought sorrow to millions of Catholics worldwide, it also gave rise to a chilling theory that’s gone viral: the idea that his death may be linked to a prophecy that predicts the end of times.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Argentina, Pope Francis was the son of Italian immigrants. He became the first Jesuit pope, the first pope from the Americas, and the first to adopt the name Francis, inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi. He was elected to the papacy on March 13, 2013.
Although initial reports pointed to a stroke and heart failure as the causes of his death, the internet has latched onto something else: an ancient prophecy that may have predicted this exact moment.
The Pope Francis Prophecy That’s Stirring Up the Internet
Enter the Prophecy of the Popes, a 12th-century set of visions reportedly written by Saint Malachy, an Irish archbishop. This prophecy includes 112 short Latin phrases, each one believed to describe a future pope. According to legend, the documents were hidden in the Vatican’s secret archives and only made public in the 16th century.
Rather than recounting the past, Malachy’s list supposedly foretold the traits, origins, or even names of popes after his lifetime. What has left people stunned over the centuries is just how accurate many of these descriptions have been.
And here’s the kicker: Pope Francis was number 111 on Malachy’s list.
If the prophecy holds true, Francis was the penultimate pope. The final name on the list? “Petrus Romanus” or Peter the Roman, a figure said to lead the Church through its final tribulations before the end of the world. Creepy, right?
But there’s more. In the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, there’s a series of portraits for every pope in history. Disturbingly, there’s only one oval space left—after Pope Francis.
Coincidence? Believers online aren’t so sure.
Whether this is just another online theory or something deeper, the Prophecy of the Popes has certainly sparked fear, fascination, and debate. Some say it’s pure fiction, while others argue that mystics, prophets, and even modern clergy have pointed toward difficult times ahead for humanity.
One thing is certain: the death of Pope Francis has left a vacuum—and countless questions.
This article was originally written in Spanish by Carla Martell in Cultura Colectiva.
