Video Summary
St. Malachy is said to have recorded 112 short Latin mottos predicting every pope and an apocalyptic final entry.
The manuscript resurfaced around 1590 and was published in 1595; early mottos closely matched historical popes.
Scholars argue the prophecy may be a 16th-century forgery, possibly tied to election politics and Cardinal Simoncelli.
The episode highlights a contested reading of the Latin that interprets the sequence as a countdown ending in the year 2027.
Despite dramatic interpretations, the Vatican has neither officially endorsed nor rejected the prophecy.
The prophecy is a list attributed to St. Malachy of 112 short Latin phrases—each said to symbolize a future pope—ending with a final entry about 'Peter the Roman' and an apocalyptic destruction of Rome.
According to the episode, the manuscript was kept in the Vatican archives, resurfaced around 1590 after being hidden about 450 years, and was published in 1595 by Arnold Wion; historian Alfonso Chacón later matched many mottos to past popes.
The episode presents an interpretation of the original Latin as containing a secondary countdown that some read as pointing to the year 2027, reinforced by references to a notable eclipse that year—but it frames this as contested and interpretive.
Yes. The video highlights scholarly arguments that the list was likely created in the late 16th century—possibly as election propaganda linked to Cardinal Girolamo Simoncelli—and that later editors and interpreters shaped the mottos to fit events.
The episode dramatizes Francis’ death and a subsequent new pope but notes Rome remained intact, suggesting the prophecy didn’t play out as a literal immediate apocalypse and that believers reinterpret the sequence (e.g., as a year-based countdown).
The episode points out the Vatican’s long-standing silence—neither validating nor condemning the prophecy—likely reflecting institutional caution about apocalyptic texts and their impact on the faithful.
"Malachy saw Pope after Pope, man after man, century after century, but not names or faces, only images."
St. Malachy, an Irish archbishop, journeyed to Rome in 1139 to support Pope Innocent II, who had endured a turbulent period marked by political strife and military conflict. During a night of heavy prayer at St. Peter's tomb, Malachy was struck by a divine vibration, leading him to a powerful vision of the future popes.
He documented his visions as short Latin phrases, each symbolizing a different pope, totaling 112 popes culminating in a dire prophecy of the end times and Judgment Day. This list of popes was intended as both comfort and warning.
Pope Innocent II, recognizing the gravity of this information, sealed the manuscript in the Vatican archives to prevent the dangerous implications of its existence from being shared.
"Then in 1590, somebody found it. Hidden for 450 years, 74 popes came and went during that time. St. Malachy was right about all of them."
In 1590, after the death of Pope Urban VII shortly after being elected, the concealed document re-emerged, igniting significant concern within the church. The prophecy's terrifying conclusion—that it ended with apocalyptic visions—was particularly alarming.
Church officials sought confirmation from renowned papal historian Alfonso Chacón, tasked with verifying Malachy’s phrases—each a motto indicating the persona of a pope. Chacón found consistent accuracy in the phrases that identified the popes listed, strengthening belief in the prophecy.
"Here was a 450-year-old prophecy promising 38 more popes to come."
The timing of the prophecy’s rediscovery was critical, as the Reformation had created intense religious conflict, with many denouncing the papacy as corrupt. Despite the turmoil, Malachy's predictions provided the church with a sense of stability and divine assurance about its future.
The prophecy was published in 1595 by Benedictine monk Arnold Wion, allowing the broader public to read it. However, it only covered the past popes up until 1590, leaving future predictions open-ended and uncertain, sealing its mysterious legacy in church history.
“Malachy predicted 74 popes in order, but skeptics looked into his other predictions that came true and didn’t like what they found.”
Saint Malachy's predictions included detailed prophecies regarding 74 popes, concluding with a final entry, "Peter the Roman," who would preside over the end of Rome. Despite these prophecies, skepticism persisted.
The investigation into Saint Malachy revealed that he had a history of successful predictions that added credibility to his work, despite the naysayers.
“In the 12th century, the Shena family controlled the office of Archbishop of Armagh like a monarchy, passing the title down without needing qualifications.”
The Shena family held significant power in the Catholic Church, where the Archbishop's position was treated as hereditary, often occupied by individuals who were not even priests.
Malachy challenged this corrupt system and successfully displaced the Shena family from their position, demonstrating resilience in the face of potential death threats.
“Saint Bernard was an early patron and leader of the Knights Templar, a powerful ally for Malachy.”
Malachy's journey included a pivotal stop at Clairvaux Abbey, where he met Bernard, a powerful figure who had significant influence over both popes and kings.
Their friendship proved beneficial for Malachy, as it established a supportive alliance that he would rely on throughout his ecclesiastical career.
“Malachy foretold his own death, stating he would pass away on All Souls' Day, which he did at Clairvaux in 1148.”
Demonstrating a remarkable ability to foresee his fate, Malachy revealed to his fellow monks the exact day of his death, which occurred exactly as he had predicted.
His passing at the age of 54 on All Souls' Day added another layer of mystique to his prophecies, affirming his reputation as a prophet.
“From 1595 onwards, the mottos attached to popes began to predict future events, creating a potent sense of prophecy in the Church.”
The mottos attributed to popes after Malachy cast a shadow of skepticism, yet many began to align closely with historical events, as exemplified by the motto "Aquila Rapax," which prophetically described Napoleon's actions against Pope Pius VI.
The credibility of Malachy’s prophecies fueled their continued relevance in the Church, with subsequent popes actively embracing these predictions.
“Malachy’s final two prophecies focus on 'De labore solis' and 'Gloria olivae,' setting the stage for Peter the Roman and the future of the papacy.”
The penultimate prophetic motto "De labore solis" related to the birth of Karol Wojtyła (Pope John Paul II) during a solar eclipse, further solidifying Malachy's reputation for accurate predictions.
The subsequent motto "Gloria olivae" associated with Joseph Ratzinger’s election as Pope Benedict, indicated the nearing completion of Malachy's prophetic sequence.
The anticipation surrounding Peter the Roman suggests a significant forthcoming transition in Catholicism, as it is the last name on Malachy's list before an apocalyptic silence.
"Francis took his name from St. Francis of Assisi, and the father of St. Francis was called Pietro, Peter."
When Pope Benedict officially resigned on February 28, coinciding with the feast day of St. Romanus, the Vatican entered a period of vacancy. The world awaited the election of a new pope, with many predicting the selection of Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana. However, in a surprising turn, Jorge Mario Bergoglio from Argentina was chosen, marking him as the first Jesuit pope and the first from the Americas.
Critics questioned if Saint Malachy's prophecy had been fulfilled, yet it was emphasized that the name Francis held a significant connection: it could be interpreted to include the title "Peter the Roman." Francis’ surname, Bergoglio, signifies his Italian heritage, further deepening the link to Rome.
"In the final persecution of the Holy Roman Church, there will sit Peter the Roman, who will pasture his sheep in many tribulations."
The prophecy not only implies the rise of Peter the Roman but also outlines events during his reign, highlighting a period of tribulation followed by the destruction of Rome and subsequent judgment. Intriguingly, the Vatican has maintained silence regarding this prophecy for over 400 years, neither condoning nor condemning it, a stark contrast to its responses to other literary works.
The prophecy foresees a direct correlation between the final pope and the eventual downfall of Rome, raising questions about the church's stance on its own predicted demise.
"In 1909, Pope Pius X collapsed and returned with a terrifying vision. A future pope fleeing Rome, climbing over the dead bodies of his own priests."
The narrative of impending doom is not exclusive to Malachy. In 1909, Pope Pius X experienced a disconcerting vision about a future pope escaping Rome amidst destruction. Additionally, the Virgin Mary allegedly revealed significant messages to three shepherd children in Fatima in 1917, including a vision of a pope traversing a ruined city.
These accounts collectively echo the theme of a papal figure dauntingly depicted amidst chaos and strife within the church, suggesting an ongoing sense of urgency regarding the predictions.
"In March 2020, the pandemic closed churches around the world. One rainy day, Francis stood alone in St. Peter's Square, praying to an empty city."
During his papacy, Pope Francis seemed to symbolize elements of the prophecy through real-world tribulations. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic led to closed churches globally, culminating in a poignant image of Francis praying alone in a deserted St. Peter's Square, evoking the notion of isolation and impending doom.
As the world faced crisis after crisis, from health epidemics to violent occurrences against Christians, Francis experienced the hardships depicted in the prophecy, further enhancing public speculation regarding the prophecy’s validity.
"The original list of popes wasn't numbered, and it includes several antipopes."
The prophecy's alleged countdown of popes did not follow a numerically ordered list, causing potential confusion regarding its interpretations. Notably, the presence of antipopes in historical records further complicates the count of legitimate successors.
Scholars have debated alternative readings that could indicate that Leo XIV, the current pope from the United States, does not signal the end. A historical misprint in the prophecy altered its interpretation significantly.
"In the final persecution of the Holy Roman Church, there will sit. Then comes a period."
The original Latin text divided the prophecy into two sentences, suggesting that more than one pope could serve before the anticipated arrival of Peter the Roman. This insight shifts the focus from a singular prophetic figure to the possibility of several successors preceding him.
Subsequent interpretations proposed a timeline culminating in 2027 based on historical markers, particularly the motto related to Pope Sixtus V. The name Leo, taken by the latest pope, corresponds to the previously mentioned lion symbol, tying the narrative together in an unexpected way.
"Even the sky has plans for 2027."
The discussion highlights the intriguing connections between celestial events and the Prophecy of the Popes, specifically noting a significant eclipse on August 2nd, 2027.
This eclipse, which will last for six minutes, is positioned to run across key historic locations tied to the ancient Roman world, including regions like Spain, North Africa, and Egypt.
The theory presented suggests that Malachy's list, which predicts the end of the papal succession, aligns with this astronomical event, asserting that the prophecy pertains to the year rather than an individual.
"Malachy's vision, the earliest version of that story appeared in 1871, not 1139."
This section clarifies that the origins of the Prophecy of the Popes can be traced back to 1871, indicating that the commonly held belief it dates back to the 12th century is inaccurate.
There is an exploration into who authored the prophecy, referencing Giovanni Battista Wion's publication in 1595 that lacked definitive claims regarding its origins.
It is emphasized that the accuracy of predictions became increasingly vague after the initial popes, with notable figures such as Alfonso Chacón's contributions leading to misleading interpretations.
"The prophecy was probably a forgery created by Cardinal Girolamo Simoncelli during the election of 1590."
Assertions are made that the Prophecy of the Popes may have been manufactured as political propaganda to influence papal elections, particularly in the context of Simoncelli's attempts to secure a favorable outcome in 1590.
The phrase "From the old city" was used in the list and linked back to Simoncelli’s hometown, suggesting a connection that could point toward intentional deceit in the prophecy's creation.
The discussion raises the question of Chacón's involvement, acknowledging that while he was linked to the prophecy, the lack of evidence of his direct endorsement casts doubt on its authenticity.
"Why are we so fascinated with the end of the world?"
This segment examines humanity's collective obsession with apocalyptic scenarios, linking various cultural narratives to the concept of a final judgment or cataclysmic change.
It draws parallels between religious interpretations of the end times and secular themes, such as nuclear war or climate crises, emphasizing the recurring nature of end-of-world narratives across different societies.
Acknowledging shared human anxieties, it reiterates that while people are keenly aware of their mortality, they often prefer to perceive death through a grand or meaningful lens, highlighting the desire for drama instead of mundane exits.
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