If you’ve spent any time in the dusty corners of Catholic fringe theories or end-times forums, you’ve hit the name St. Malachy. People get obsessed. It’s a 12th-century list of cryptic Latin mottos that supposedly nails the identity of every single pope until the world ends.
The hook? We’re basically at the end of the list.
Now, it’s 2026. Pope Francis passed away back in April 2025, and now we have Pope Leo XIV sitting in the Chair of Peter. If you follow the math of the "Prophecy of the Popes," things are getting weirdly specific. For a lot of people, the "pope predictions last pope" obsession isn't just a hobby—it feels like a countdown.
The Prophecy That Refuses to Die
Let’s look at the "Prophecy of the Popes" for what it actually is: a list of 112 short Latin phrases. Supposedly, St. Malachy, an Irish archbishop, had a vision in 1139 while visiting Rome. He saw a line of future popes and wrote down a vibe for each one.
Some of these are eerie. Take Pope John Paul II. His motto was De Labore Solis, which translates to "Of the Labor of the Sun." Interestingly, he was born during a solar eclipse and buried during one.
Coincidence? Probably. But it’s the kind of stuff that fuels the fire.
Then you have Pope Benedict XVI. His motto was Gloria Olivae (The Glory of the Olive). People pointed out that the Benedictine Order has a branch called the Olivetans. It’s thin, sure, but it fits if you want it to.
💡 You might also like: I-94 Closure This Weekend: Why You Need to Rethink Your Drive
Is Pope Leo XIV the "Peter the Roman"?
The very last entry on the list is the big one. It doesn’t even have a number like the others; it’s a terrifying paragraph. It talks about Petrus Romanus—Peter the Roman.
The prophecy says this guy will "nourish the sheep in many tribulations," and afterward, the "city of seven hills" (Rome) will be destroyed. Then comes the "dreadful judge."
Basically, the end of the world.
With Pope Leo XIV now leading the Church, everyone is trying to figure out if he’s the guy. Interestingly, Leo XIV is the first-ever pope from the United States. He’s been pushing hard for reforms since he took over in May 2025, but his name isn’t "Peter." Does that matter? Probably not to the conspiracy theorists. They’ll find a way to link it. Some say "Peter" refers to the office, not the name. Others think he’s just the placeholder before the "final" guy shows up.
Why Scholars Call Foul
Honestly, most historians think the whole thing is a giant 16th-century prank.
The prophecy didn't actually surface until 1590. That’s over 400 years after Malachy died. Why did nobody mention it for four centuries? Not even his best friend and biographer, St. Bernard of Clairvaux, said a word about it.
The most common theory among experts like Father James Weiss of Boston College is that it was a forgery. In the late 1500s, there was a heated papal election. The theory is that someone faked the list to help the candidacy of Cardinal Girolamo Simoncelli. They gave him a motto that fit his background perfectly to make his election look "divinely ordained."
After 1590, the predictions suddenly get a lot more vague.
Before 1590, the mottos are often direct hits on the popes' family names or birthplaces. After 1590? They’re poetic and open to a million interpretations. That’s a classic sign of a "post-event" prophecy.
The Current State of Affairs in 2026
We are currently in a fascinating moment for the Church. Leo XIV is navigating a world that feels increasingly unstable. Just this month, in his January 2026 "State of the World" speech, he talked about the "zeal for war" spreading globally.
When things get scary, people look for maps. The St. Malachy list acts like a map for people who are worried about the future. It gives a sense of order to the chaos.
But even the Catholic Encyclopedia—hardly a source for radical skepticism—warns that the prophecy isn't official Church teaching. It’s "private revelation" at best, and a "forgery" at worst.
What You Should Actually Watch
If you're tracking the pope predictions last pope lore, keep an eye on these specific details rather than just the names:
- The "Tribulations": The prophecy mentions a period of intense suffering for the Church. Leo XIV is already dealing with massive internal divisions over the legacy of Pope Francis and the Latin Mass.
- The Seven-Hilled City: This refers to Rome. Any major geopolitical shift involving Italy or the Vatican usually triggers a surge in "Malachy" searches.
- The Name Peter: If the next Conclave produces a "Peter," "Pietro," or even someone who takes the name "Peter II" (which popes traditionally avoid out of respect for the first Apostle), expect the internet to break.
Actionable Takeaways for the Curious
Don't get swept up in the doomsday hype without a little context. If you want to dive deeper into this, here is how to separate the history from the hysteria:
- Read the Original Latin: Don't rely on TikTok summaries. Look at the 112 mottos yourself. You’ll see just how "stretchy" the interpretations can be.
- Follow the Vatican’s Actual Agenda: Pope Leo XIV has made the 2026 "Monthly Intentions" about disarmament and mental health. This tells you more about the Church's direction than a 500-year-old list.
- Check the Timeline: Remember that the "Prophecy of the Popes" has been "proven" wrong many times before, only for fans to move the goalposts.
The fascination with the last pope is really just a fascination with the end of things. Whether Leo XIV is the last, the middle, or just another chapter in a 2,000-year-old story, the prophecy remains one of the most successful "viral" pieces of content in human history.
It survives because it’s vague enough to stay true and scary enough to stay relevant.