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Origins -

The 'Prophecy of the Popes' is often traced back to Saint Malachy, an Irish archbishop who died in 1136. Legend says he received a vision in Rome that revealed cryptic mottos for each of the future popes. Many believe that the 112th motto, the last in the prophecy, is about Pope Francis.

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Mysterious creation -

After he received the vision of future popes, Malachy allegedly recorded the mottos in a manuscript that was deposited in the Vatican Secret Archives and subsequently forgotten. The manuscript conveniently resurfaced centuries later, shrouded in mystery and skepticism.

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The manuscript -

Though Malachy allegedly received the prophecy in the 12th century, it wasn’t published until 1595 by Benedictine monk Arnold Wyon. The long gap raises questions about its authenticity, with suspicions that it was fabricated to influence papal elections.

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Structure of the prophecy -

The prophecy consists of 112 short Latin phrases or mottos, each symbolizing a pope from Malachy’s time until the world’s end. Some mottos are obvious descriptions, while others are cryptic riddles, leaving room for broad interpretation and speculation.

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A complete fabrication -

The earliest reference of the manuscript and its prophecy was in 1587. Spanish monk and scholar Benito Jerónimo Feijóo y Montenegro later analyzed it in his work Teatro Crítico Universal (1724–1739), where he suggested that the prophecy was fabricated to influence papal politics.

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The first pope in the list -

The prophecy begins with Celestine II (elected in 1143), described in his motto as Ex castro Tiberis ("From the castle of Tiber"). This fits Celestine, who was purportedly born near the Tiber River.

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Striking accuracy -

The mottos attributed to pre-1595 popes seem eerily accurate, which has led some to believe the prophecy was written retrospectively. Supporters of the prophecy claim that it was written under divine foresight, while critics argue that the mottos were tailored to fit historical events.

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Suspicious shift in clarity -

After 1595 and the papacy of Clement VIII (pictured), the prophecy’s descriptions become ambiguous, and they require significant interpretation. Earlier mottos matched papal details well, while later ones grew vague. This fueled suspicions that Wyon (or someone else) crafted the list to legitimize past choices.

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Possible political motives -

If the prophecy was fabricated, it might have been designed to support certain candidates in the papal conclave. By showing that specific popes fit Malachy’s vision, the document could have influenced cardinals who were easily swayed by divine signs.

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Nostradamus -

The prophecy is often mentioned alongside the predictions of Nostradamus. Both involve cryptic messages about future leaders, disasters, and the world’s fate. While Nostradamus is famous for poetic vagueness, Malachy’s list presents a structured sequence leading to an apocalyptic climax.

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Numerology -

Some researchers believe the prophecy’s numbering holds hidden meanings. Since it ends with the 112th pope, believers speculate that this number has significance and is possibly linked to biblical prophecy, Catholic traditions, or numerological mysticism.

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The final pope -

The last entry in the prophecy describes Petrus Romanus ("Peter the Roman"), who will face many tribulations during his time before Rome is ultimately destroyed. Some believe this signifies the end of the Church or the world, while others argue it symbolizes transformation rather than apocalypse.

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Ambiguity -

Unlike other mottos, which are brief, Peter the Roman’s description is lengthier. This continues to fuel theories about its special significance. Some believe it warns of a great schism, while others argue it might not refer to an actual pope.

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Connection to the Antichrist -

Some extreme interpretations claim Peter the Roman will be an Antichrist figure or a false shepherd leading the faithful astray. Others reject this and argue that the prophecy does not explicitly support such a sinister conclusion.

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The alleged forger -

Historians suspect that the prophecy was forged in the 16th century, possibly by or on behalf of Cardinal Girolamo Simoncelli, a papal candidate in 1590. The prophecy favored him, but he never actually became pope.

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The Catholic Church’s stance -

The Vatican has never officially endorsed the prophecy, though some Catholic scholars have analyzed it. The Church tends to treat it as apocryphal or of doubtful authenticity, neither confirming nor outright condemning its predictions.

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The impact on conclaves -

Though not officially recognized, the prophecy has influenced public discourse around papal elections. Speculation over which candidate fits the next motto sometimes circulates before conclaves, adding an extra layer of intrigue.

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The “Glory of the Olive” pope -

Before Pope Francis became sovereign of the Vatican City State, Pope Benedict XVI was his predecessor. The prophecy’s motto for Benedict was Gloria Olivae ("Glory of the Olive"). This has been linked to Benedict XVI via some interpreting it as a link to peace (as olives symbolize peace) or the Benedictine order, which has an olive branch in its emblem.

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Papal resignation -

Benedict XVI’s resignation in 2013, the first in centuries, resulted in Francis being chosen as the new leader of the Catholic Church. Since Benedict XVI was long-considered the 111th pope in Malachy’s prophecy, it led to speculation that Francis would be the last before the world comes to an end.

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The Francis dilemma -

The final motto in the prophecy speaks about Peter the Roman, but Pope Francis is not named “Peter,” which has led some to question whether he fits the final prophecy. But the current pope chose his papal name from St. Francis of Assisi (pictured), whose birth name was Giovanni di Pietro (John of Peter), which is a potential fulfillment of the prediction.

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The Jesuits -

Francis is the first pope to come from the Jesuit Order, adding intrigue since the Jesuits historically had a complex relationship with prophecy and secrecy. Some see his election as a break from tradition and an alignment with the predictions.

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Apocalyptic overtones -

The prophecy’s conclusion suggests that the Church would undergo immense trials that will end in catastrophic upheaval. Some connect this to modern crises, such as declining faith and global turmoil, believing these are signs of Malachy’s predicted tribulation.

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The parallel with Revelation -

Malachy’s prophecy echoes themes in the Book of Revelation, particularly concerning a final leader before the world’s end. This has led some to merge the two, claiming the prophecy validates biblical apocalyptic visions.

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Historical hindsight -

Many prophecies gain credibility only in retrospect. People match historical events to vague statements, making the prophecy seem accurate after the fact. But skeptics argue this is a classic case of self-fulfilling interpretation rather than actual foresight.

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The controversy of interpretation -

Because the Latin mottos in the manuscript are often vague, multiple popes could fit a single description. This flexible nature allows believers to keep adjusting interpretations, keeping the prophecy alive despite historical discrepancies.

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Confirmation bias -

When a pope is elected, people search for ways to match him to Malachy’s words. This is classic confirmation bias, where vague statements are interpreted to support preexisting beliefs rather than assessing them objectively.

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The modern fear factor -

Doomsday predictions always attract attention, and Malachy’s prophecy has been no exception. Some use it to fuel end-times paranoia, especially during times of crisis and despite no official endorsement from the Church.

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Modern culture -

The 'Prophecy of the Popes' has appeared in books, documentaries, and conspiracy theories. Some believe it’s proof of divine foresight, while others see it as an ancient hoax that conveniently fuels speculation in times of uncertainty.

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The enduring mystery -

Despite scholarly doubts, the prophecy remains captivating. Whether viewed as a forgery, a coincidence, or a genuine vision, it continues to intrigue and inspire speculation. Now, with the declining health of Pope Francis, the prophecy has brought on renewed discussions about the future of the papacy.

Sources: (Britannica) (IrishCentral) (U.S. Catholic) (Catholic Answers)

See also: The oldest popes to hold office

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