The Prophecy of the Popes, a Latin mythology that, starting with Celestine II, who was elected pope in 1143, contains 112 brief, enigmatic sentences that are said to foretell popes.
Irish Saint Malachy, a former Archbishop of Armagh who lived in the 12th century, was credited with writing The Prophecy of the Popes, which was published in 1595.
The lengthy list, which starts in the 1100s and finishes after 112 popes, is believed to authentically depict the chosen leaders of the church until around 1590.
Some conspiracy theorists have read the list in light of Pope Francis’ passing, assuming that no pope will be chosen in the next conclave.
Others think that a pope will be chosen, the first in a millennium, which was not predicted by St. Malachy.
Fr. James Weiss, an Episcopal priest and Boston College professor of church history, told USA Today that he thinks the apocalypse prophesy is a “forgery.”
