The prophecy of St. Malachy, attributed to a 12th-century Irish saint, suggests that Pope Francis may be the last pope in the Catholic Church. Following his death on April 21 at age 88, the Vatican announced a conclave on May 7 to elect his successor. This prophecy lists 112 popes, starting with Celestine II in 1143. St. Malachy’s list has been scrutinized, as experts believe it wasn’t written until several centuries after his death, raising doubts about its authenticity. Fr. James Weiss from Boston College describes the predictions as forgeries lacking credible origins.
While the prophecy accurately describes popes until the late 16th century, the interpretations become less reliable thereafter. For instance, the 112th pope, referred to as “Peter the Roman,” supposedly foreshadows apocalyptic events, a view some historians dispute, suggesting it may refer to a political judgment instead.
Many scholars, like Joëlle Rollo-Koster, emphasize that the authentic St. Malachy never prophesied. They argue the list was crafted by someone close to the papacy who had ample historical knowledge. Although some alignments of popes to the predictions are striking, many others seem forced. For instance, titles used to describe certain popes do not always resonate with their actual characteristics.
As the conclave approaches, the likelihood of a new pope following Francis remains evident. Various debates continue concerning the interpretation of the prophecy and how it fits ongoing Church history. Overall, experts assert that faith rests not in interpretations of ambiguous prophecies but in understanding the core tenets of Christianity as expressed through the Gospels.
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