A date worth noting down — at least if an ancient prophecy is to be believed.
If a centuries-old Vatican prediction holds true, ‘Judgment Day’ could be approaching sooner than expected.
A haunting 900-year-old manuscript, allegedly concealed within the depths of the Vatican archives, is said to foretell the precise moment when the so-called ‘Day of Reckoning’ will unfold.
This Book, known as the Prophecy of the Popes, was penned in the 12th century by Saint Malachy, an Irish bishop. It presents a mysterious timeline listing every pope from Celestine II in 1143 up to the current head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis.
The book appears to end with Pope FrancisVatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images
The prophecy, which reappeared in 1590, is made up of 112 mysterious Latin phrases, each predicting the reign of a different pope.
What adds to the eerie nature of this text is its implication of a specific time for the return of Jesus to Earth. According to believers, this moment will determine each person’s fate—who will ascend to heaven and who will face eternal damnation.
Many Christians refer to this prophesied event as the Final Judgment or Doomsday—a moment when all of humanity will stand before God to face their ultimate fate.
Saint Malachy’s writings suggest that this momentous event is expected to take place in just two years—2027—though he did not provide a specific date.
The last passage in his manuscript delivers a chilling message: “During the final persecution of the Holy Roman Church, Peter the Roman shall reign, guiding his flock through great tribulations. Then, the city of seven hills will be reduced to ruins, and the fearsome Judge shall pass judgment upon the people. The End.” This ominous prophecy was highlighted by the Daily Star.
Some interpret this passage to mean that after Pope Francis, a figure named Peter will emerge to lead the church. This speculation has gained momentum due to Pope Francis’ ongoing health challenges, including recent severe respiratory problems.
Pope Benedict XVI was also amongst the list of predictionsPeter Macdiarmid/Getty Images
Saint Malachy claimed to have penned the manuscript after receiving a divine revelation during his visit to Rome in 1139.
Over the centuries, some of his prophecies have appeared to materialize. A striking example is his mention of Pope John XXII (1316–1334).
Malachy referred to him as “de sutore ossed,” meaning “from the bony shoemaker.” As noted by Catholic.com, this eerily corresponds with John XXII, whose father was a shoemaker and whose surname, Ossa, translates to “bone.”
Another prophecy, “lilium et rosa,” is thought to refer to Pope Urban VIII (1623–1644), whose family crest prominently displayed lilies and roses.
One of the most notable predictions, “De labore Solis,” translates to “eclipse of the sun.”
Interestingly, Pope John Paul II, who led the church from 1978 to 2005, was born during a solar eclipse in the 1920s.
Saint Malachy also foretold the 111th pope as “Gloria Olivae,” meaning “Glory of the Olive.”
This connection proved to be significant, as the Order of Saint Benedict—also known as the Olivetans—shared strong ties with Pope Benedict XVI, who served as the head of the Catholic Church from 2005 to 2013.
Although some of Malachy’s prophecies appear strikingly accurate, historians have debated the legitimacy of his manuscript. Critics point out that after the 16th century—coinciding with the time the book was allegedly ‘found’ in the Vatican archives—the predictions became noticeably more ambiguous.
The Catholic Church acknowledges that while certain prophecies appear to align with historical events, there are many inconsistencies that cannot be ignored.
Most modern historians and religious scholars dismiss the book as a forgery, likely crafted for political purposes rather than divine foresight.
However, if the prophecy is accurate, we won’t have to wait much longer to see its fulfillment…
