Is Pope Francis destined to be the last pontiff, ushering in an era of tribulation, as some prophecies foretell? The rumors swirling around the pontiff's health, coupled with ancient prophecies, have amplified speculation that the papacy of Pope Francis marks a pivotal moment in religious history.
Discussions surrounding the potential for Pope Francis to be the final pope have surged since the dawn of 2024. Fueled by the "Prophecy of the Popes," attributed to Saint Malachy, whispers of an impending end of days have intensified. The narrative, however, hinges on interpretations and symbolic connections, with some seeing the pontiff's tenure as a prelude to significant changes. On April 21, the Vatican announced, with "deep sorrow," the passing of Pope Francis at the age of 88. The announcement, delivered by Camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell, stated that the Bishop of Rome had "returned to the home of the father" that morning. The connection between Pope Francis and the prophecy is, at best, tenuous, even though the proponents of the prophecy claim that the namesake Pope Francis derived his papal name from St. Francis of Assisi. They argue that St. Francis of Assisi had a father named Pietro.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jorge Mario Bergoglio |
| Born | December 17, 1936, Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Died | (If applicable - in the provided text, his death is reported as April 21st) |
| Papal Name | Francis |
| Pontificate | March 13, 2013 April 21, (reportedly), 2024 |
| Predecessor | Benedict XVI |
| Successor | (Vacancy - will be filled via conclave) |
| Previous Positions | Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Cardinal |
| Order | Jesuit |
| Notable Achievements | Emphasis on social justice, environmental advocacy, reforms within the Catholic Church |
| Reference Link | Vatican's Official Biography |
The intrigue is further amplified by historical and mystical narratives like the "Prophecy of the Popes," which suggests that Pope Francis might be the last pope before the end of the world. The passing of Pope Francis sets in motion a complex process, initiating an ancient machinery. After a pope's death or resignation, a conclave is convened in the Vatican. The last absolute monarchy in Europe will have a new leader. This aligns with the prediction that the final pope would be the 112th, after whom Peter the Roman would lead the church through a tribulation period.
The prophecy, attributed to Saint Malachy, has been a source of fascination and debate for centuries. Each papal reign is associated with a phrase, and the final phrase applies to Pope Francis: "In the final persecution of the Holy Roman Church, there will sit Peter the Roman, who..." The eerie predictions from the prophecy suggest that judgment day is near. However, some have linked Pope Francis to the prophecy of Peter the Roman. One connection offered is that Jorge Mario Bergoglio, as Pope Francis, is of Italian (Romanus) descent.
Pope John Paul II was described as "de labore solis," meaning "of the eclipse of the sun," while Karol Wojtyla was born on May 18, 1920, during a solar eclipse. Similarly, Pius VI was designated as "Peregrinus apostolicus" (pilgrim pope), which appears to be verified by his many journeys to new lands. The question remains: Will Pope Francis be the last pope? The "Prophecy of the Popes" (Latin: Prophetia de Summis Pontificibus), found in Lignum Vitae (1595), claims to describe all the popes, and it raises a crucial question: Is Francis the final pontiff?
The first and only Jesuit pope, Pope Francis, appears to be bearing the weight of this final transition. He has openly acknowledged that everything is crumbling, an unprecedented admission from the leader of an institution that has long thrived on stability and control.
Some proponents of the prophecy have attempted to salvage it by linking Pope Francis to Peter the Roman, despite his Argentinian origin. They argue that the Argentinian cardinal has "Peter" in his birth name, and since his parents were Italian immigrants, he is, in a sense, a Roman. This would allow him to match the prophecy. However, to many, by taking the name Francis, Jorge Mario Bergoglio does not align with the prediction.
This passage reads as follows: "through the death of a very old pontiff a Roman of good The claims state that the current pontiff is the last, legitimate pope who will shepherd Catholics for some months at the beginning of the Antichrists reign. Then, a candidate will seize the position by force or illegitimately, becoming a false, illegitimate pope who will also serve as the false prophet.
The anticipation around who will succeed him and the possibility of impending doom is further fueled by the ancient prophecy attributed to Saint Malachy. According to the prophecy, the final pope would be the 112th, after whom Peter the Roman would emerge to lead the church through a tribulation period. But the prophecy is vague, and the interpretations of this are open to debate.
In his final years, Pope Francis has faced several health challenges, adding to the intensity of these discussions. According to an old prophecy attributed to Saint Malachy, Pope Francis might have been the last pontiff before the end of times. Us papal visit / cc by 2.0.
