The idea that there’s a set number of seats at the Vatican table is one of those things that keeps conspiracy theorists up at night. Honestly, it’s a bit like wondering how many seasons of a TV show are "supposed" to exist. If you ask a canon lawyer, the answer is "as many as we need until the world ends." If you ask a fan of 12th-century Irish mysticism, you get a very different, much creepier number.
People love a good countdown. There is something about the "end of the line" that fascinates us, and when it comes to the papacy, the number 112 is the one that gets everyone worked up. But let's look at the reality of the situation. There is no official "cap" on popes. The Catholic Church doesn't have a handbook that says, "Alright guys, 300 is the limit, then we close up shop."
Basically, the whole debate boils down to a mix of historical lists, a very questionable medieval prophecy, and the fact that we humans just really like patterns.
The Myth of the 112: St. Malachy’s Doomsday List
You’ve probably heard of the Prophecy of the Popes. It’s attributed to St. Malachy, an Irish archbishop from the 1100s who supposedly had a vision of every future pope while visiting Rome. According to this list, there are exactly 112 popes starting from Celestine II (who was elected in 1143) until the very end.
The list doesn't give names. It gives "mottoes."
For example, John Paul II was labeled "De Labore Solis" (Of the Eclipse of the Sun). People went nuts when they realized he was born during a solar eclipse. Pretty cool, right? Then came Benedict XVI, labeled "Gloria Olivae" (Glory of the Olive). Fans of the prophecy pointed out that the Benedictines have a branch called the Olivetans. It fits... if you squint hard enough.
But then we hit the big one. Pope number 112. The prophecy calls him "Petrus Romanus," or Peter the Roman. This final entry says this Peter will "pasture his sheep in many tribulations," and afterward, the "city of seven hills" (Rome) will be destroyed. For years, people were convinced Pope Francis was the guy. People were looking for any connection—his father’s name was Pietro, he’s of Italian (Roman) descent, you name it.
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But here’s the kicker: most historians think the Malachy prophecy is a total fake.
It didn't actually surface until 1590. It’s remarkably accurate for all the popes before 1590 and gets suspiciously vague and "hit-or-miss" for everyone after. It was likely a bit of 16th-century political propaganda meant to influence a papal election.
How Many Popes Have We Actually Had?
If we ignore the prophecies and stick to the books, the official count is a bit messy. The Vatican’s Annuario Pontificio is the go-to source here.
Right now, the official number of popes is 266.
- St. Peter was the first.
- The current guy (whoever is sitting in the Chair of Peter when you read this) is the latest.
But getting to that "266" number was a nightmare for historians. Back in the day, the Church had something called the Western Schism. At one point in the early 1400s, there were actually three different men all claiming to be the pope at the same time.
- There was a pope in Rome.
- There was a pope in Avignon, France.
- There was a "Pisan" pope.
They weren't just buddies sharing the job; they were excommunicating each other and fighting for control. Eventually, the Council of Constance (1414–1418) sorted it out, but it left a mess for the record-keepers. This is why you’ll see some lists with "Antipopes." These are guys who claimed to be pope but weren't "legitimate" in the eyes of history.
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Is There a "Supposed" Limit?
Theologically speaking? No.
The Church teaches that the papacy will exist as long as the Church exists. Since the Church is supposed to last until the Second Coming, the number of popes is technically infinite—or at least, undetermined.
There’s no "Game Over" screen triggered by a specific headcount.
Interestingly, though, some people look at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome for a "visual" prophecy. The church has a series of circular mosaic portraits of every pope. For a long time, there were only a few empty spots left. People used to joke (and some weren't joking) that when the spots ran out, the world would end.
Well, the spots ran out.
The Vatican just... added more spots. They literally expanded the row. It turns out that when you run out of room for portraits, you don't call for the Four Horsemen; you just call a contractor.
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What Most People Get Wrong About "The Last Pope"
A huge misconception is that the "last pope" has to be named Peter.
Because the prophecy mentions "Peter the Roman," people assume a guy will get elected and choose the name Peter II. In reality, no pope has ever taken the name Peter out of respect for the first apostle. It’s sort of an unwritten rule. If someone did, it would be a massive signal to the world, but it’s not a requirement for the "end times."
Another thing? The Church doesn't actually recognize the Malachy prophecy as "official."
The Vatican is usually pretty quiet about these things, but they don't teach this list in seminary. It’s considered "private revelation" at best and a "Renaissance hoax" at worst. You won't find it in the Catechism.
Actionable Insights: How to Track the Real Count
If you're trying to keep track of where we are in the "official" timeline, don't rely on TikTok prophecies. Stick to the actual historical record.
- Check the Annuario Pontificio: This is the only "official" list. If a name isn't in there, they aren't counted.
- Differentiate between Popes and Antipopes: If you see a list with over 300 names, it’s probably including the claimants who lost the power struggles of the Middle Ages.
- Understand the "Sede Vacante": This is the period between popes. The number doesn't go up until a white puff of smoke comes out of the Sistine Chapel.
Basically, the number of popes there are "supposed to be" is entirely dependent on how long history lasts. We are at 266 and counting. Whether we get to 267 or 2,667 is anyone's guess, but for now, the seats are still being filled, and the mosaic portraits are still being commissioned.
If you want to dive deeper into the history, looking at the "Year of Three Popes" (1978) is a great place to start. It shows just how fast the "number" can change when history gets weird. Keep an eye on the official Vatican news outlets for the most accurate updates on the current pontificate and any future conclaves.