Speculation is running wild. Pope Francis’ health is declining, rumors of his resignation are swirling and some believe an ancient prophecy is about to come true.

Could we really be witnessing a moment foretold nearly 900 years ago?

Before we get carried away, let’s take a breath.

As believers, we know that God’s Word is our ultimate source of truth. But that doesn’t mean we should ignore the world around us. Instead, we should observe, discern and always test what we hear against Scripture (1 John 4:1). So, let’s break this down.

An Ancient Prophecy and a Modern Pope

In the 12th century, an Irish bishop named St. Malachy reportedly had a vision of all the future popes, leading up to a final one—Petrus Romanus (Peter the Roman)—who would guide the church through great tribulations before the destruction of Rome. Some believe this signals the end of days.

Now, with Pope Francis battling serious health issues, speculation is heating up. One of the top contenders to succeed him is Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State. His first name, Pietro, is the Italian form of Peter, and he’s from Italy—making him, almost literally, Peter the Roman. Coincidence?

Maybe.

But it’s enough to make some people wonder.

Francis Already Planned for His Exit

Adding to the mystery, Pope Francis revealed in 2013 that he had already signed a resignation letter in case of serious health issues. That letter was given to then-Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone—who likely passed it to none other than… Cardinal Pietro Parolin. If Francis steps down, could Parolin fulfill the role of Peter the Roman?

Prophecy vs. Scripture

Let’s be clear: The prophecy of St. Malachy is not Scripture. While some argue that past popes have eerily matched Malachy’s descriptions, the Bible remains the only fully reliable source on the end times. Jesus Himself warned in Matthew 24 that the last days would be marked by wars, deception and false prophets.

Sound familiar?

With global conflicts, economic instability and increasing calls for a centralized global authority, it’s easy to see why people are watching closely.

Why This Matters

Regardless of whether the next pope fits St. Malachy’s vision, a papal transition is always a global event. The Vatican holds immense influence, and a new pope could shift the balance of power in ways that align with biblical prophecy. We already see moves toward a cashless society, international governance and a one-world religion—elements that could play into the system of the Beast in Revelation.

But here’s the bottom line: our hope is not in a prophecy—it’s in Christ. The Bible tells us exactly how this story ends. Revelation 22:12 reminds us: “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with Me to give to each one according to his work,” (MEV).

Jesus is our certainty in uncertain times. Whether or not St. Malachy’s prophecy plays out, our mission remains the same—stay vigilant, stay in the Word and keep our eyes on Jesus.

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