The rumors just won't stay buried. You've probably seen the headlines or the weird TikToks late at night claiming the Vatican is about to close up shop. People are genuinely asking if pope francis will be the last pope, and honestly, it’s not just coming from the usual conspiracy theorists this time.
It’s a mix of ancient "doomsday" lists, a very frail 89-year-old pontiff, and a Church that feels like it’s hitting a massive wall.
But here’s the thing. Most of the "evidence" people point to is actually a mix of Renaissance-era fan fiction and a massive misunderstanding of how the Catholic Church actually works. If you’re looking for a simple yes or no, you won't find it in a crystal ball, but the actual history is way weirder than the internet rumors.
The Prophecy Everyone Is Obsessed With
Basically, most of this talk stems from the "Prophecy of the Popes." It’s a list of 112 short Latin phrases supposedly written by St. Malachy, an Irish bishop, back in 1139. According to the legend, Malachy had a vision of every single pope from his time until the end of the world.
The list ends with a figure called "Peter the Roman."
The prophecy says this Peter will feed his flock during "many tribulations," after which the "city of seven hills" (Rome) will be destroyed and a "dreadful judge" will judge the people. Since Pope Francis is the 112th pope on many versions of this list, people have done the math and panicked. They’re convinced pope francis will be the last pope because he’s the guy standing at the end of the line.
Why historians think it’s a total fake
Historians are kinda blunt about this: the Malachy prophecy is almost certainly a forgery.
It didn't actually show up in the historical record until 1595. That is a massive 450-year gap. If you look at the popes before 1595, the descriptions are eerily accurate, like "from a castle on the Tiber." Of course they are. The guy writing it in 1595 had a history book.
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Once you get past 1595? The descriptions get super vague and "vibes-based." For example, Pope John Paul II was labeled "Of the Eclipse of the Sun." People scrambled to find a solar eclipse on his birthday and funeral to make it fit. It’s basically the 16th-century version of a horoscope.
Is Francis Actually "Peter the Roman"?
If you want to argue that pope francis will be the last pope, you have to jump through some major linguistic hoops. His name isn't Peter. It’s Jorge Mario Bergoglio. He chose the name Francis.
Some theorists say, "Well, he’s the head of the Roman Church, so he’s Roman!" or "He’s the successor of Peter, so he’s Peter!" Sure, but literally every pope in history fits that description. It’s like saying the last President of the United States will be "The American from the White House." It doesn't narrow it down much.
The Health Crisis of 2025 and 2026
We have to be real about the situation in the Vatican right now. This isn't just about old poems; it's about a man who is clearly struggling.
Throughout 2025, Pope Francis faced several major health scares. There were the respiratory crises in February and March that had the world holding its breath. He spent weeks in Gemelli Hospital. The Vatican tried to stay positive, but seeing the Pope in a wheelchair or struggling to breathe during a Mass makes people wonder what happens next.
When a pope gets this frail, the "last pope" talk shifts from mystical prophecy to institutional anxiety.
The Church is currently navigating a massive "Synod on Synodality." It’s a fancy term for a huge global meeting about the future. Some traditionalists fear Francis is changing the Church so much that the "old" papacy is essentially ending. Others think the administrative weight of 1.3 billion followers is becoming too much for one elderly man to handle.
What Actually Happens If the Papacy "Ends"?
Let’s say the conspiracy theorists are right for a second. What would it look like if pope francis will be the last pope?
Legally, according to Canon Law, it’s almost impossible. As long as there are Cardinals, they are required to meet in a conclave and elect a successor. The only way the papacy "ends" is if the institution itself is physically or legally dissolved, or, you know, the literal Apocalypse happens.
- The "Great Resignation" Theory: Some think Francis might be the last "traditional" pope and that the office will transform into a more symbolic, decentralized role.
- The 2027 Date: There’s a weirdly specific theory floating around that 2027 is the "expiration date" for the current line of popes based on some obscure 16th-century calculations. There is zero official backing for this.
- The Successor Problem: If Francis were to pass away or resign (which he’s hinted he might do if his health fails), the machine of the Vatican is already primed to elect a 113th pope.
Why We Can't Stop Talking About It
Humans love an ending. We’re wired for it. Whether it's the climate, politics, or the papacy, we have this itch to feel like we’re living in the "final chapter."
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The idea that pope francis will be the last pope gives people a sense of urgency. For his critics, it’s a warning of a "falling away" from tradition. For his fans, it might feel like the culmination of his mission to "repair" the Church, much like his namesake, St. Francis of Assisi, was told to do.
But looking at the hard facts, the "last pope" narrative is built on a foundation of sand. The St. Malachy list is a proven Renaissance hoax. The health issues, while serious, are a natural part of an 89-year-old man’s life. And the Church, despite its scandals and struggles, has survived for 2,000 years through way worse than this.
Real Actions To Take Now
Instead of refreshing "end times" forums, there are better ways to track what's actually happening in the Vatican:
- Watch the Consistory: Keep an eye on the Cardinals Francis appoints. They are the ones who will choose the next pope, and their backgrounds tell you more about the future than a 900-year-old poem.
- Follow the Holy See Press Office: They give the only verified health updates. If a "Sede Vacante" (the period between popes) is coming, it’ll be announced there, not on a viral Facebook post.
- Read "Saints and Sinners" by Eamon Duffy: If you want to see how many times people have predicted the "last pope" and been wrong, this is the definitive history of the papacy.
The papacy isn't going anywhere just yet. It might change shape, and the next guy might be very different from Francis, but the "Peter the Roman" doomsday scenario belongs more in a Dan Brown novel than in a news report.
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Stay skeptical of the "last pope" headlines. They’ve been wrong for about five centuries now.
To get a better sense of how the Vatican prepares for a transition, you can look into the specific rituals of the "Interregnum" or the rules of the Conclave updated by John Paul II in Universi Dominici Gregis.