If the prophecy attributed to Saint Malachy proves true, Pope Francis, who died this Monday, April 21, in the Vatican, would be the last of the sovereign pontiffs. According to this nine-century-old text, the end of the world is even predicted for 2027.
Will the death of the sovereign pontiff sound the death knell for the modern world? Pope Francis died in the Vatican this Monday morning at the age of 88. The Argentine pontiff was released from the hospital on March 23 after being hospitalized for 38 days with bilateral pneumonia, his fourth and longest hospitalization since the beginning of his pontificate in 2013.
The Prophecy of Saint Malachy, also called the “Prophecy of the Popes,” indicates that Pope Francis, whose real name is Jorge Mario Bergoglio, would be the last pontiff before the “Last Judgment” scheduled for 2027. This mysterious text is attributed to the Irish Archbishop Saint Malachy, who supposedly had a vision during his visit to Rome in 1139.
The book, which contains 112 short and mysterious Latin sentences revealing the names and characteristics of the 109 future popes after Celestine II, was reportedly discovered in the Vatican’s secret archives at the end of the 16th century by the Benedictine monk Arnold Wion.
“In the last period of the Holy Roman Church, Peter the Roman will reign, he will lead his flock through many tribulations, then the city of seven hills will be destroyed and the terrible Judge will judge the people. This is the end,” the text details.
The “city of seven hills” is said to refer to Rome, and “Peter the Roman” refers to Pope Francis, the pontiff traditionally being the heir of Saint Peter. According to Saint Malachy’s prophecy concerning Peter the Roman, the “last pope” will preside over the Church during a period of great turmoil that will culminate in the fall of Rome and the end of the papacy.
Located in the Vatican’s Secret Archives and discovered in 1590 by Benedictine monk Arnold Wion, “The Prophecy of the Popes” is making headlines due to a prophecy that ties with Pope Francis’ health.
According to a 900-year-old book in the Vatican, ‘Judgement Day’ may be upon us soon, and Pope Francis might be the last leader of the Church.
The health of Pope Francis has led to renewed interest in a 900-year-old book known as “The Prophecy of the Popes” (“Prophetia Sancti Malachiae Archiepiscopi, de Summis Pontificibus” – or “Prophecy of Saint-Archbishop Malachy, concerning the Supreme Pontiffs”), which claims to predict the year of Judgement Day.
For those of you who need brushing up on your scripture, Judgement Day – also known as “The Final Judgement” or “the second coming of Jesus Christ” – is the day that Jesus returns to Earth to judge humanity and destroy Earth and Heaven.
Essentially, the day we find out who will be saved and who will be damned.
According to the 12th-century book credited to Irish bishop Saint Malachy, it’s going to take place in 2027.
The 88-year-old pontiff has been treated fordouble pneumonia and today marks his one month in hospital.
The book contains a series of Latin phrases in 112 mysterious sections which purport to predict the Catholic popes, beginning with Celestine II up to the Church’s current leader.
One passage, attributed to Pope Sixtus V, reads: “Axle in the midst of a sign”.
Pope Sixtus’ tenure began 442 years after the first Pope’s rule, and the passage suggests he is in the ‘middle’ of the papal lineage – thus indicating the end of the world would come 442 years later, in 2027.
The last passage of the book reads: “In the final persecution of the Holy Roman Church there will reign Peter the Roman, who will feed his flock amid many tribulations, after which the seven-hilled city will be destroyed, and the dreadful Judge will judge the people. The End.”
The “seven-hilled city” refers to Rome and some interpret the last passage as Peter taking over as the Pope from Francis due to the latter’s chronic lung disease, making Francis the last Pope.
It all sounds very Dan Brown, and “The Prophecy of the Popes” has appeared in popular fiction, including Steve Berry’s 2005 novel “The Third Secret” and in James Rollins’ 2009 novel “The Doomsday Key”.
It’s worth noting that modern scholars have disputed the origins of the text, saying that the book is simply cryptic forgery created for partisan political reasons.
Others also refer back to the Bible, which specifically warns against predicting the date of the second coming.
Matthew 24:36 reads: “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.”
So maybe don’t get out your calendars just yet.
