900-year-old Vatican doomsday prophecy resurfaces amid Pope Francis’ illness

The health of Pope Francis has led to renewed interest in a 900-year-old book known as “The Prophecy of the Popes” (“Prophetia Sancti Malachiae Archiepiscopi, de Summis Pontificibus” – or “Prophecy of Saint-Archbishop Malachy, concerning the Supreme Pontiffs”), which claims to predict the year of Judgement Day. 

For those of you who need brushing up on your scripture, Judgement Day – also known as “The Final Judgement” or “the second coming of Jesus Christ” – is the day that Jesus returns to Earth to judge humanity and destroy Earth and Heaven.

Essentially, the day we find out who will be saved and who will be damned. 

According to the 12th-century book credited to Irish bishop Saint Malachy, it’s going to take place in 2027. 

Located in the Vatican’s Secret Archives and discovered in 1590 by Benedictine monk Arnold Wion, “The Prophecy of the Popes” is making headlines due to a prophecy that ties with Pope Francis’ health.

The 88-year-old pontiff has been treated fordouble pneumonia and today marks his one month in hospital.

The book contains a series of Latin phrases in 112 mysterious sections which purport to predict the Catholic popes, beginning with Celestine II up to the Church’s current leader.  

One passage, attributed to Pope Sixtus V, reads: “Axle in the midst of a sign”. 

Pope Sixtus’ tenure began 442 years after the first Pope’s rule, and the passage suggests he is in the ‘middle’ of the papal lineage – thus indicating the end of the world would come 442 years later, in 2027. 

The last passage of the book reads: “In the final persecution of the Holy Roman Church there will reign Peter the Roman, who will feed his flock amid many tribulations, after which the seven-hilled city will be destroyed, and the dreadful Judge will judge the people. The End.” 

The “seven-hilled city” refers to Rome and some interpret the last passage as Peter taking over as the Pope from Francis due to the latter’s chronic lung disease, making Francis the last Pope. 

It all sounds very Dan Brown, and “The Prophecy of the Popes” has appeared in popular fiction, including Steve Berry’s 2005 novel “The Third Secret” and in James Rollins’ 2009 novel “The Doomsday Key”. 

It’s worth noting that çağdaş scholars have disputed the origins of the text, saying that the book is simply cryptic forgery created for partisan political reasons.

Others also refer back to the Bible, which specifically warns against predicting the date of the second coming.  

Matthew 24:36 reads: “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.” 

So maybe don’t get out your calendars just yet.