A prophecy says Pope Francis was meant to be the last Pope. So what now?

A little-known series of prophecies that predicted the last 111 popes suggested Pope Francis would be the last Pope. So what can we expect now?

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA - APRIL 21: Images of Pope Francis are placed next to candles and flowers in a memorial altar following his death, on April 21, 2025 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Pope Francis, Head of the Catholic Church for 13 years, died at 88. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, he was the first pope from the Society of Jesus and the first from the Americas. Before his papacy, he served as Archbishop of Buenos Aires and was later appointed cardinal. (Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)

Amid all the end-of-the-world angst that marked the end of 2012, a little-known prophecy skated under the radar when Pope Benedict retired in 2013.

The end of the Mayan calendar didn’t mark the end of the world as we know it.

But many people didn’t know that the Pope elected after Benedict was prophesied to the last – and one who also might be the Antichrist.

Following the death of Pope Francis, it’s only fitting to look back on these obscure prophesies and try to imagine what a now uncertain future might hold.

In 2013, online chatter swirled about a little-known series of prophecies made by the Irish saint Malachy after he had a vision when he visited Rome in the 12th century and correctly predicted the election of 111 Popes.

Malachy made 112 predictions, with the election of Pope Francis being the final one.

A short Latin phrase was given for each prophecy and the descriptions had been eerily accurate for each of the popes that followed.

One of the most striking examples was John Paul I, whose Latin phrase was De Medietate Lunae, or Of The Half Moon.

He was elected on August 26, 1978 when there was a half moon.

Pope Francis arrives to lead his weekly general audience in the Paul VI hall at the Vatican on October 21, 2020. (Photo by VINCENZO PINTO / AFP)

He died the following month soon after an eclipse of the moon.

Still more prophecies have been fulfilled based on floral or animal emblems, including Flos Florum, or Flower of Flowers, which prophesied Pope Paul VI.

His coat of arms included three iris blossoms.

Many struggled to connect Pope Francis to the prophecy made by Malachy regarding his election.

The 112th prophecy states: in the final persecution of the holy Roman Church there will reign Petrus Romanus, who will feed his flock amid many tribulations; after which the seven-hilled city will be destroyed, and the dreadful judge will judge the people.

The End.

Happily, this prophecy of destruction has not been fulfilled and Pope Francis, by any assessment could not be described as the Antichrist.

So where to from here?

In the coming days and weeks, machinations will begin to replace Pope Francis.

For the first time in hundreds of years, there is no prediction or description that could act as a possible guide as to who the new pope will be.

Save calamity, soon the world will soon welcome a new Pope.

What that may mean, we now have no way of knowing.