The death of Pope Francis at the age of 88 has stirred renewed attention toward an ancient and mysterious document known as “The Prophecy of the Popes”—a 900-year-old text that some claim foretells the end of the Catholic Church and predicts Judgement Day will occur in 2027.
According to historical accounts, the prophecy is attributed to Saint Malachy, a 12th-century Irish bishop, and was first brought to light in 1590 by Benedictine monk Arnold Wion. It is believed to have been preserved in the Vatican’s Secret Archives. The document reportedly outlines a list of 112 popes using cryptic Latin phrases, beginning with Celestine II and culminating in a final figure linked to apocalyptic events.
One particular phrase linked to Pope Sixtus V reads: “Axle in the midst of a sign.” Some interpret this to mean his papacy occurred 442 years after the reign of the first pope, with the implication that another 442 years later—landing in 2027—Judgement Day could occur.
Prior to his passing, Pope Francis had been hospitalized and receiving care for double pneumonia. His recent health struggles and eventual demise have intensified speculation over the prophecy’s final passage, which states:
“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” is widely interpreted to mean Rome, leading to speculation that Francis’ successor—possibly someone referred to as “Peter the Roman”—might be the last pontiff before a cataclysmic event.
Despite public fascination, many scholars remain critical of the prophecy’s legitimacy. Historians argue the text may have been a political fabrication created centuries ago to influence papal elections rather than a divine prediction. The prophecy has even inspired elements of fictional literature, such as Steve Berry’s The Third Secret (2005) and James Rollins’ The Doomsday Key (2009).
Moreover, religious authorities caution against drawing conclusions from such texts. Citing biblical scripture, particularly Matthew 24:36, they remind believers:
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.”
