Considering the extensive discussions surrounding the passing of Pope Francis – which have been numerous – it is perhaps reasonable to assume that a purported prophecy, said to be nearly 1,000 years old, has gone largely unnoticed.

We are aware, indeed… forecasts and intuitions… cue the boredom. Nevertheless, this specific prophecy has attracted sufficient attention on the internet to justify conversations among online users. This is despite it seemingly being documented nearly a thousand years ago.

Stay with us if you possess even a slight interest in the occult, the unusual, or the eerie, or if you simply enjoy thrilling doomsday predictions that are unlikely to materialize.

If you have not been deprived of access to any form of technology in recent days, you are likely aware that Pope Francis passed away earlier this week on Monday, April 21.

The Vatican confirmed the news of the 88-year-old’s passing, and it was subsequently disclosed that the cause of death was a cerebral stroke that resulted in a coma and heart failure.

A nine-day mourning period has now commenced, and arrangements for Pope Francis’ burial are progressing. However, these tasks are minor compared to the significant responsibility of selecting his successor.

While this process is frequently lengthy and carries immense significance and meaning, the choice of the next pope may hold even greater importance, particularly if one subscribes to the aforementioned prophecy that has persisted for 1,000 years.

Reports indicate the existence of a book titled the Prophecy of the Popes, which is believed to have been authored in the 1100s by an Archbishop of Armagh, Ireland, named Malachy, who was later canonized as Saint Malachy.

This prophecy allegedly enumerates 112 popes, essentially forecasting that there will be only one more pope following Benedict, the pontiff who abdicated and was succeeded by Pope Francis.

Perhaps more concerning is the assertion that Saint Malachy predicted that this final papacy could lead to the end of the world, suggesting that Pope Francis may be the last individual to occupy this position.

The concluding statement indicates that the final pope will be: “Peter the Roman, who will shepherd his flock through numerous trials, and when these events are completed, the city of seven hills will face destruction, and the fearsome judge will pass judgment on his people. The End.”

Pope Francis selected his name to pay tribute to St. Francis of Assisi, whose father was named Pietro, or Peter in English. This may be a tenuous connection, yet it is one that individuals use to try to validate the prophecy.

Furthermore, certain interpretations of the Prophecy of the Popes suggest that the world may come to an end in 2027… indicating that there is limited time remaining before significant challenges arise.

In light of the current global unrest, it seems that the prophecy may resonate more than one would prefer. Nevertheless, it is important to note that numerous critics dismiss Saint Malachy’s dire forecasts.

In 2013, Josh Canning, the director of Toronto’s Chaplaincy at the Newman Centre, remarked (as reported by Global News): “I don’t know how you can connect Peter the Roman with Pope Francis.”