Is Pope Leo XIV the Last Pope? Haunting Prophecy Fuels Controversy

Despite being dismissed by experts, there are still murmurs in some circles suggesting that pope leo xiv’s rapid ascent to power and his distinct background could be more than just a coincidence.

Some speculate that the timing of his election—coming so soon after the death of pope francis and amid a turbulent global political climate—could hint at deeper, hidden forces at play within the vatican.

Is there a hidden group within the church that is secretly planning for a significant and potentially final transformation of its future? These rumors generate curiosity, leaving many pondering the true importance of pope leo xiv’s papacy and what it may hold for the future. 

Pope Leo X’s election has generated enthusiasm and discussion among Catholics worldwide. On May 8, the 69-year-old former cardinal Robert Prevost made history as the first American to become the leader of the Catholic Church. 

A prediction from an Irish seer. 

While a significant number of Catholics are rejoicing over the selection of the new pope, a group of conspiracy theorists are worried about the potential impact on the church’s future. Their fears stem from an ancient prophecy resurfacing—one attributed to saint malachy, a 12th-century irish mystic, who is said to have foretold the succession of popes in what is known as the prophecy of the popes. 

According to this prophecy, there will be a total of 112 popes following malachy’s time, with the final pontiff referred to as ‘peter the roman.’ some theorists speculate that pope leo xiv could be this last pope, but experts raise numerous issues with this claim, highlighting flaws in the prophecy.

Who is ‘Peter the Roman’? 

For starters, pope leo xiv’s name and background don’t align with the figure of ‘peter the roman.’ although named pope leo xiv, his birth name is robert francis prevost, and he is american with peruvian roots—not italian as the prophecy might imply. Some individuals have attempted to connect the late pope francis to this prophetic figure, but that theory has not been supported by evidence. 

Josh canning, director of the newman centre’s chaplaincy in toronto, dismissed the connection back in 2013, saying, ‘i don’t know how you can connect peter the roman with pope francis.’. 

Other scholars have also quickly dismissed the prophecy. Boston College Professor and Episcopal Priest James Weiss dismisses the prophecy of the popes as a fabrication, claiming, “I don’t believe they have any credibility.”.

The truth about the prophecy. 

Fr: Weiss points out that the references within the prophecy, such as the ‘dreadful judge’ and the ‘city of seven hills’ (commonly interpreted as rome), could be symbolic of something less catastrophic, perhaps referring to the judgment of a national leader rather than a global disaster. 

He clarifies that the prophecy mentions 112 enigmatic phrases that are believed to be connected to future popes, beginning with celestine ii, who ascended to the papacy in 1143. Weiss clarifies that these mottos do not explicitly mention popes, but rather employ ambiguous terms like’swift bear’ and ‘rose of umbria.’. 

Scholars speculate that the prophecy was likely crafted in the late 1500s, as the descriptions align closely with popes from malachy’s time until that point, but gradually become less accurate in the following years. Weiss refers to it as a game of chance, where some descriptions vaguely resemble certain popes, while others are barely recognizable. 

In the limelight once again.

Following the passing of pope francis on April 21 at the age of 88, there was a surge in interest in the saint. Malachy’s prophecy surged once more. Many had assumed that Francis was the 112th pope on the list, suggesting that no successor had been foreseen for nearly a millennium. 

This timing raises suspicion for historians. Joglle rollo-koster, a medieval history professor at the university of rhode island, states there is no solid evidence linking malachy to any prophetic writings. ‘as a historian who is meticulous about the evidence, that is the best indication that malachy did not write or speak prophecies,’ she said. 

What this means for pope leo xiv. 

In summary, although the prophecy of the popes has captured public attention, there is no substantial evidence to support a factual connection between pope leo xiv and the prophecy. Although this new pope is worth keeping an eye on, it is highly unlikely that ancient prophecies will have any influence on his future or the direction of the Catholic church. 

In summary, while the election of pope leo xiv has sparked excitement and speculation—especially with the resurfacing of saint malachy’s centuries-old prophecy—there is little credible evidence linking this new pontiff to the ominous predictions. Scholars generally dismiss the prophecy as unreliable and lacking credibility, and historians find no substantial evidence to support the claim that malachy was the author of such predictions.

As Pope Leo X IV commences his reign, the primary focus is on his leadership and vision for the Catholic Church, rather than on unfounded conspiracy theories. Regardless of the rumors, this new pope is certainly a figure to keep an eye on as he shapes the future of catholicism.