Neither apocalypse nor last Pope: the hoax on the prophecies of St. Malachy and Nostradamus after Francis
One of the main arguments against the writings attributed to Saint Malachy is their uncanny accuracy—until around the year 1590.
After major global events, many people turn to ancient prophecies for insight into the future. When it comes to the election of a new Pope, none have been as referenced as the ones attributed to Saint Malachy, a 12th-century Irish bishop.
According to legend, this saint wrote a list of 112 cryptic prophecies, each supposedly describing a future Pope. The first known appearance of these predictions was in 1595, in a book by Benedictine monk Arnold de Wyon, who claimed to have recovered them from forgotten archives. However, the Vatican has never officially recognized these prophecies, and many historians believe they were actually written in the 16th century.
One of the strongest critiques against Saint Malachy’s writings is their suspicious precision before 1590, which seems to fade into vague and ambiguous phrases afterward. A clear example is found in the case of Pope Francis.
According to the prophecy, Pope Francis is the 112th and final Pope, referred to as “Peter the Roman.” The prophecy reads: “He will feed the sheep amidst many tribulations; when these are over, the city of seven hills will be destroyed, and the dreadful Judge will judge His people. The End.” However, none of these predictions have materialized during Francis’s papacy.
Although the Church has never endorsed these prophecies, some Italian Popes have subtly acknowledged them. For example, Pius XII allowed himself to be frequently referred to as “Pastor Angelicus,” a title found in Malachy’s list.
While the prophecies of Saint Malachy continue to capture the imagination of believers and skeptics alike, they remain a fascinating blend of mystery, faith, and historical intrigue.
Whether viewed as inspired predictions or clever forgeries, their enduring presence in discussions about the papacy highlights humanity’s timeless desire to find meaning and foresight in uncertain times.
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