Pope Leo XIV Elected: A New Era Begins for the Catholic Church
In a moment rich with tradition and global significance, Cardinal Robert Prevost was officially confirmed as Pope Leo XIV earlier today, May 8—just weeks after the passing of Pope Francis, who died at the age of 88 on Easter Monday, April 22.
The iconic plume of white smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel once again signaled hope and renewal for Catholics around the world, especially in the United States and Peru—two nations where the newly elected pope spent much of his life and ministry.
Yet, amid the celebration, not everyone is embracing the new pontiff with open arms. A notable group remains hesitant about the direction the Church may take under Pope Leo XIV’s leadership.
Enjoy Pope Leo XIV While You Can—If a 12th-Century Prophecy Is to Be Believed, He May Be the Last
That’s right, folks—celebrate the election of Pope Leo XIV while it lasts, because a recently resurfaced prophecy from nearly a thousand years ago claims the 69-year-old pontiff could be the final Bishop of Rome.
Some of you might recall our earlier coverage of the mysterious manuscript known as the Prophecy of the Popes—an ominous document allegedly penned in the 1100s by Saint Malachy, the Irish archbishop who, at the time, was simply known as Malachy. Like most ancient texts that begin with the word prophecy, this one doesn’t paint a hopeful picture for humanity.
According to the manuscript, Malachy envisioned a succession of 112 popes following his lifetime. The final entry on the list refers cryptically to a figure known only as “Peter the Roman,” who is said to preside over the Church during its ultimate tribulation—marking the end of not just the papacy, but possibly the world itself.
And now, with Pope Leo XIV ascending to the throne of Saint Peter, many are wondering: have we reached the end of the line?
According to the Prophecy of the Popes, the reign of “Peter the Roman” is described in chilling terms:
“Peter the Roman, who will pasture his sheep in many tribulations, and when these things are completed, the city of seven hills will be destroyed, and the dreadful judge will judge his people.”
The text ends with a stark finality: “The end.”
Naturally, skeptics are quick to point out that Pope Leo XIV hardly fits the ominous mold of “Peter the Roman.” His birth name—Robert Francis Prevost—contains no trace of Peter, and his dual citizenship in the United States and Peru doesn’t exactly scream “Roman.” By that logic, it seems Saint Malachy may have missed the mark.
Then again, prophecies rarely unfold in ways that are neat, obvious, or easy to interpret.
Meanwhile, others have speculated that the late Pope Francis was the fateful ‘Peter the Roman’, although this hypothesis has been thoroughly debunked for identical grounds over the years.
Back in 2013, Josh Canning—director of Toronto’s Chaplaincy at the Newman Centre—summed up the skepticism well when he told Global News, “I don’t know how you can connect Peter the Roman with Pope Francis.”
And honestly, I tend to agree. If we wake up tomorrow to comets streaking across the sky and nuclear warheads lighting up the horizon, I’ll be the first to throw my hands in the air and admit I got it wrong.
But for now, it seems safe to say that Pope Leo XIV has more pressing matters on his mind than a cryptic, centuries-old prophecy written by a man named Saint Malachy.
