A conclave is set to choose the next pope following the death of Pope Francis

An ancient prophecy known as the Prophecy of the Popes, discovered in the late 16th century and attributed to the 12th-century Irish saint Malachy, lists 112 vague descriptions of popes from 1143 to the present day. The final entry warns of a “Peter the Roman” who will lead during terrible times, after which Rome, the “city of seven hills,” will be destroyed, signaling the end of days.

Now that the list has reached its end, some of the leading candidates to succeed Pope Francis share the name Peter—such as Pietro Parolin, Peter Turkson, and Péter Erdő—sparking speculation that one of them might fulfill this ominous prophecy. However, none of these candidates are actually from Rome, and the prophecy’s accuracy is highly questionable.

Experts widely dismiss the Prophecy of the Popes as a hoax, suggesting it was likely created in the 16th century to influence a papal election. The predictions lose accuracy after the prophecy was “discovered,” and some entries don’t align with actual popes, including Pope Francis, who was skipped in the list despite being the most recent pope.

Overall, the prophecy’s vague language and historical inconsistencies mean it should be taken with skepticism, despite the dramatic fears it inspires about the future of the Catholic Church and Rome.

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