This final pope, Peter the Roman, is said to shepherd the Church through a time of great tribulation and ultimately preside over the end of days. What makes the prophecy even more eerie is the coincidence that among the current list of leading contenders to succeed Francis, three are named Peter—further fueling speculation and fear among believers and prophecy enthusiasts alike. The symbolism has not gone unnoticed, especially given the weight of the name “Peter,” a direct reference to Saint Peter, the first pope and foundational figure of the Church.
Adding fuel to the fire is a rising belief among some Christian groups that the year 2027—the year referenced in many interpretations of the prophecy—could mark the Second Coming of Christ, the moment when Jesus is foretold to return to Earth to deliver final judgment. According to the prophecy’s timeline, that apocalyptic event is now less than two years away, increasing speculation that Pope Francis’ death may be the beginning of the Church’s most critical and turbulent chapter.
As the Vatican prepares for its traditional nine-day mourning period, known as novemdiales, attention is already turning to the College of Cardinals, who will soon convene in conclave to select the next pontiff. While the Church officially dismisses the Prophecy of the Popes as a forgery or at best, a non-canonical curiosity, its uncanny accuracy over nearly nine centuries has kept it alive in the imaginations of millions.
In a world already grappling with crises—spiritual, political, environmental—the timing of Pope Francis’ death and the cryptic implications of the prophecy are, for many, more than coincidence. Whether it’s mere myth, misunderstood symbolism, or something more divine, the world will be watching the next papal election with more intensity than ever before.
