Among the most fascinating and eerie tales to echo through the corridors of Vatican history is the so-called “Prophecy of the Last Pope.” Though widely discredited by scholars and church historians alike, the legend continues to stir curiosity. How did this prophecy begin? Why has it endured? And what does it reveal about the anxieties that shape our understanding of faith and leadership in a changing world?
In this article, we explore the origins and implications of the so-called Prophecy of Saint Malachy, how it resurfaced in modern discourse through the figure of Pope Benedict XVI, and what it truly means for the Catholic Church today.
A Story Rooted in Power and Politics
The prophecy in question is attributed to Saint Malachy, a 12th-century Irish bishop revered for his piety and vision. Yet the prophecy did not appear until more than 400 years after his death. Supposedly discovered in 1590, the document contained 112 cryptic Latin phrases, each believed to correspond to a future pope. The final entry ends in apocalyptic tones, referencing a mysterious pope who would preside over the collapse of Rome and the Last Judgment.
There is no mention of such a prophecy in the biography of Saint Malachy written by his contemporary and friend, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, leading most experts to believe the document is a forgery, crafted during a papal conclave to influence the election. Despite its dubious origin, the prophecy was first printed in Venice in 1595 and quickly spread throughout Europe.
A Papal Puzzle that Persists
While the Catholic Church does not recognize the prophecy as authentic, it has lingered on the margins of religious discourse. The phrases in the prophecy are vague enough to be interpreted in various ways, allowing supporters to retroactively link each Latin motto to historical pontiffs.
The final pope, according to the list, is described under the cryptic phrase: “Peter the Roman.” He is said to lead the Church during a time of persecution and chaos, culminating in the destruction of Rome and divine judgment. This dark prediction has become a focal point for those who fear the Church is entering its final chapter.
Benedict XVI and the Echo of Prophecy
The conversation around the prophecy regained intensity with the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI in 2013—a rare and historic moment. In a 2016 interview with journalist Peter Seewald, Benedict was asked if he considered himself the “last pope” in Malachy’s list. Rather than dismiss the question, Benedict answered with a smile: “Anything can happen.”
This moment of levity sparked global headlines. Benedict, a theologian deeply familiar with Catholic eschatology, went on to clarify that the prophecy was likely a 16th-century fabrication, possibly created in circles close to Saint Philip Neri. Still, he acknowledged the symbolic power it had gained, especially during moments of historical transition.
A Crisis of Meaning, Not of Numbers
The real question isn’t whether the prophecy is true, but why it resonates. What causes so many believers and observers to speculate about the “last pope”? According to Benedict, the West is experiencing a spiritual erosion—a drift away from Christian values and traditions. He warned that Christianity in Europe would continue to shrink, becoming less dominant, and believers would face increasing difficulty in maintaining public influence.
His concern was not about the literal end of the papacy, but rather about the loss of spiritual authority in the modern age. For Benedict, the Church is not a human invention that can be reshaped at will—it is a divine mystery. When society forgets this foundation, it loses more than doctrine; it loses meaning.
Philip Neri, Borromeo, and the Reformer’s Courage
The story also brings to light figures like Saint Philip Neri and Charles Borromeo, both deeply involved in the Catholic reform of the 16th century. While the prophecy may have been constructed to bolster confidence during Protestant critiques, figures like Borromeo enacted real reform, reviving the Church from within.
Benedict admired Borromeo’s willingness to abandon decaying institutions, redirect resources to new communities, and resist the inertia of tradition. He posed a powerful question: “Who today has the courage to declare dead what is internally hollow?”
This was not a call to dismantle the Church, but to renew it—to return to Christ at the center of all reform.
A Prophecy Misunderstood
While conspiracy theories thrive on the idea of an imminent end, Benedict emphasized that the prophecy’s real danger lies in how it’s used. If people treat the Church as just another political body, they may become obsessed with symbolism and secrecy, missing the deeper truth. The Church’s identity is not based on power structures but on a relationship with Christ, and that cannot be ended by a calendar or a coded phrase.
The prophecy reflects more about our human fears and fascinations than divine intent. It serves as a mirror, showing how we project our doubts and hopes onto religious institutions.
Eschatology and Eternity: Ratzinger’s Theological Depth
Throughout his career, Benedict (Joseph Ratzinger) returned again and again to themes of eschatology—the study of death, judgment, and the final destiny of the soul. He believed the Christian message always pointed toward eternity, but not in a fearful way.
Ratzinger’s early work Death and Eternal Life lays out a vision that balances Greek philosophy, biblical theology, and contemporary critique. He dismisses sensational end-times predictions in favor of daily renewal, where faith lives not in apocalyptic drama but in commitment and truth.
Beyond Myth: The Church and Modern Faith
The idea of a “last pope” may capture imagination, but it is not the future Benedict foresaw. His real concern was the loss of faith in the Church’s supernatural origin. When faith becomes purely social or ideological, it loses its soul. For Benedict, true reform was about returning to that soul—to the person of Christ.
In this light, the “end” isn’t a disaster—it’s a call. A challenge to believers to rebuild the Church not with bricks or bureaucracy, but with conviction, love, and clarity.
Final Reflection: A Prophecy About Us All?
Perhaps the prophecy of the last pope isn’t about a man in white robes, but about us—our fears, our hopes, and the questions we carry into the future. Whether or not the list ends with one final pontiff, the deeper story is about faith facing change.
We live in a time of uncertainty, where institutions are challenged and beliefs questioned. But maybe, as Benedict subtly suggested, it’s not about counting popes or deciphering Latin riddles. Maybe it’s about asking: What does it mean to truly believe today? And what will we do to keep that belief alive?
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