What is the Prophecy of the Popes?

St. Malachy · 1595（声称1139年）

The Prophecy of the Popes (Prophetia Sancti Malachiae Archiepiscopi, de Summis Pontificibus) is a series of 112 short Latin phrases, each purportedly describing a pope from Celestine II (elected 1143) to the final pope, 'Peter the Roman' (Petrus Romanus). The text is attributed to Saint Malachy (1094-1148), Archbishop of Armagh, Ireland, who allegedly received the vision during a visit to Rome in 1139.

However, the document was not published until 1595 by Benedictine monk Arnold Wion. Most historians consider it a late 16th-century forgery — the mottos before 1595 match their corresponding popes with remarkable precision (since they could have been written after the fact), while those after 1595 are far more vague. The strongest evidence: the document first surfaced during the 1590 papal conclave, likely to promote a specific candidate.

Despite widespread scholarly consensus that it is a pseudepigraphical work, the Prophecy of the Popes remains one of the most popular prophetic texts in Catholic tradition. The prophecy of the 'last pope' draws renewed attention with every papal election. This site presents 22 of the most representative mottos, covering both the precise early matches and the controversial modern interpretations.

Core Message

"In the final persecution of the Holy Roman Church, there will sit Peter the Roman, who will pasture his sheep in many tribulations. When these things are finished, the city of seven hills will be destroyed, and the dreadful Judge will judge his people."

Key Timeline

1139 — St. Malachy allegedly visits Rome and receives the vision (no contemporary documentation)
1595 — Benedictine monk Arnold Wion first publishes the prophecy in Lignum Vitae
1820 — First systematic scholarly critiques questioning the prophecy's authenticity
2005 — Benedict XVI elected, linked to motto #111 'Gloria Olivae' (Glory of the Olive)
2013 — Francis elected, debate over whether he is the prophesied last pope

Data Sources

Latin text from Arnold Wion's Lignum Vitae (1595), modern text cross-referenced with multiple scholarly editions (Wikipedia: Prophecy of the Popes)
Papal history from the Catholic Encyclopedia and Vatican official records (Vatican.va)
Verification based on historical records and academic research; editorial opinions do not represent scholarly consensus
Site icon: Papal Tiara — the most recognizable visual symbol of papal authority in Catholic tradition

Prophecy of the Popes All Prophecies22 Q&A entries in total

#1 Religion 1143

Motto #1: Ex castro Tiberis (From a castle on the Tiber)

St. Malachy: Pope Celestine II (1143-1144). Born Guido di Castello, from Città di Castello in Umbria, Italy, a town on the banks of the Tiber River. The motto 'From a castle on the Tiber' directly references the pope's birthplace — the Castle City on the Tiber.

#2 Religion 1145

Motto #3: Ex magnitudine montis (From the great mountain)

St. Malachy: Pope Eugene III (1145-1153). Born in Montemagno, Italy, a name meaning 'great mountain'. He served as abbot of the abbey of Tre Fontane near Pisa. The motto 'From the great mountain' corresponds to the pope's birthplace of Montemagno (great mountain).

#3 Religion 1261

Motto #9: De Pannonia Tusciae (From Pannonia to Tuscany)

St. Malachy: This motto is traditionally linked to a pope connected to both Hungary (Pannonia) and Tuscany. The attribution has been debated among scholars, as the exact correspondence is less clear than earlier mottos.

#4 Religion 1342

Motto #40: De cruce Apostolica (From the Apostolic Cross)

St. Malachy: Pope Clement VI (1342-1352). Born Pierre Roger, he served as prior of a Holy Cross monastery. His family coat of arms featured a cross. The motto 'From the Apostolic Cross' relates to his monastic background and family heraldry.

#5 Religion 1410

Motto #54: De cervo et leone (Of the deer and the lion)

St. Malachy: Antipope John XXIII (1410-1415). Born Baldassare Cossa. He was from Naples and later deposed in Florence. Traditional interpretation links the deer and lion to heraldic symbols of key cities in his papal career. The motto 'Of the deer and the lion' is interpreted as referring to heraldic animal symbols in the antipope's political career.

#6 Religion 1534

Motto #70: Flos pilae aegrae (Flower of the sick ball/pillar)

St. Malachy: Pope Paul III (1534-1549). Born Alessandro Farnese. The Farnese family coat of arms featured fleur-de-lis (flowers). The 'flower' in the motto corresponds to the fleur-de-lis in the Farnese family heraldry.

#7 Religion 1585

Motto #76: Axis in medietate signi (Axis in the middle of a sign)

St. Malachy: Pope Sixtus V (1585-1590). Born Felice Peretti. His coat of arms featured an axis supported by a lion across a star pattern. This is a critical motto near the 1595 publication date — Sixtus V died in 1590, and Wion published in 1595. The motto 'Axis in the middle of a sign' is linked to the axis and star in the pope's heraldry.

#8 Religion 1590

Motto #78: De antiquitate urbis (Of the antiquity of the city)

St. Malachy: Pope Urban VII (1590, only 13 days). Born Giambattista Castagna in Rome. This is among the first mottos that can be tested as post-1595 predictions. The motto 'Of the antiquity of the city' corresponds to the pope being born in the ancient city of Rome.

#9 Religion 1800

Motto #85: Aquila rapax (Rapacious eagle)

St. Malachy: Traditionally linked to Pope Pius VII (1800-1823), who was imprisoned by Napoleon. The 'rapacious eagle' is interpreted as Napoleon — the eagle was the symbol of the Napoleonic Empire. The motto 'Rapacious eagle' is widely interpreted as referring to Napoleon rather than the pope himself.

#10 Religion 1846

Motto #88: Crux de cruce (Cross from a cross)

St. Malachy: Pope Pius IX (1846-1878). His pontificate was the longest confirmed in Catholic history (31 years, 7 months). During his reign, the Italian unification movement stripped the Papal States of temporal territory, making him the 'Prisoner of the Vatican'. The motto 'Cross from a cross' is interpreted as the pope bearing a cross (suffering) because of the cross (faith) — losing the Papal States was his great trial.

#11 Religion 1878

Motto #89: Lumen in caelo (Light in the sky)

St. Malachy: Pope Leo XIII (1878-1903). Born Gioacchino Pecci. His family coat of arms featured a comet/shooting star, interpreted as the 'light in the sky'. The motto 'Light in the sky' corresponds to the comet/star in the pope's family heraldry.

#12 Religion 1903

Motto #90: Ignis ardens (Burning fire)

St. Malachy: Pope Pius X (1903-1914). Born Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto. Known for his zealous reform of the Catholic Church, including his anti-modernist campaign, reform of sacred music, and promotion of frequent communion. The motto 'Burning fire' is interpreted as reflecting the pope's passionate energy for reform.

#13 Religion 1914

Motto #91: Religio depopulata (Religion depopulated/destroyed)

St. Malachy: Pope Benedict XV (1914-1922). Born Giacomo della Chiesa. His pontificate was almost entirely overshadowed by World War I, which caused unprecedented slaughter among Christian nations. The motto 'Religion depopulated' corresponds to the mutual destruction of Christian nations during WWI and the resulting crisis of faith.

#14 Religion 1922

Motto #92: Fides intrepida (Intrepid faith)

St. Malachy: Pope Pius XI (1922-1939). Born Achille Ratti. He signed the Lateran Treaty (1929) and issued the encyclical Mit brennender Sorge (1937) openly condemning Nazism. The motto 'Intrepid faith' corresponds to the pope's courage in openly confronting fascism and Nazism.

#15 Religion 1939

Motto #93: Pastor angelicus (Angelic shepherd)

St. Malachy: Pope Pius XII (1939-1958). Born Eugenio Pacelli. He led the Catholic Church during WWII, and his stance on the Holocaust remains controversial. 'Angelic shepherd' is one of the most famous mottos in the prophecy. The motto 'Angelic shepherd' was widely known before the pope's election and may have influenced the conclave.

#16 Religion 1958

Motto #94: Pastor et nauta (Shepherd and sailor)

St. Malachy: Pope John XXIII (1958-1963). Born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli. He was Patriarch of Venice (Venice = water city = sailor) and convened the Second Vatican Council, earning him the title of a great shepherd of the Church. The motto 'Shepherd and sailor' corresponds to his role as Patriarch of Venice (sailor) and convener of Vatican II (shepherd).

#17 Religion 1963

Motto #95: Flos florum (Flower of flowers)

St. Malachy: Pope Paul VI (1963-1978). Born Giovanni Battista Montini. His family coat of arms featured three fleurs-de-lis (irises), and the lily is called the 'flower of flowers'. The motto 'Flower of flowers' corresponds to the fleurs-de-lis in the pope's family heraldry.

#18 Religion 1978

Motto #96: De medietate lunae (Of the half moon)

St. Malachy: Pope John Paul I (1978, only 33 days). Born Albino Luciani. He was elected on August 26, 1978 (waxing moon) and died on September 28 (waning moon), his pontificate spanning roughly half a lunar cycle. The motto 'Of the half moon' is interpreted as referring to his roughly one-month pontificate (half a lunar cycle), suggesting he rose and fell like the moon.

#19 Religion 1978

Motto #97: De labore Solis (Of the labor/eclipse of the Sun)

St. Malachy: Pope John Paul II (1978-2005). Born Karol Jozef Wojtyla in Poland. Solar eclipses occurred on both his birthday (May 18, 1920) and the day of his funeral (April 8, 2005). 'Labor of the Sun' (labore Solis) also means 'solar eclipse' in medieval Latin. The motto 'Of the labor of the Sun' is interpreted as the solar eclipse coincidences at his birth and funeral, and also alludes to his tireless global ministry.

#20 Religion 2005

Motto #98: Gloria olivae (Glory of the olive)

St. Malachy: Pope Benedict XVI (2005-2013). Born Joseph Alois Ratzinger from Germany. He chose 'Benedict' as his papal name, and the Benedictine Order has a branch known as the Olivetans (Order of Our Lady of Mount Olivet). The motto 'Glory of the olive' is connected through the papal name 'Benedict' to the Benedictine Order's Olivetan branch.

#21 Religion 2013

Motto #99 (or finale): Current Pope Francis

St. Malachy: Pope Francis (2013-present). Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio from Argentina. According to the prophecy list, the 112th and final entry is 'Peter the Roman' (Petrus Romanus). Francis's position in the list has sparked fierce debate: some argue he is the 112th and last pope, while others believe the list has gaps after #111. Whether Francis is the prophesied 'last pope' is the most debated contemporary question.

#22 Religion

Final motto: Petrus Romanus (Peter the Roman)

St. Malachy: "In the final persecution of the Holy Roman Church, there will sit Peter the Roman, who will pasture his sheep in many tribulations. When these things are finished, the city of seven hills will be destroyed, and the dreadful Judge will judge his people. The End." This is the final entry in the prophecy list and the only one with a lengthy description. It prophesies not only the identity of the last pope but also the destruction of Rome and the Last Judgment. The final motto describes a pope named 'Peter' from Rome who will lead the Church through end-times persecution, after which Rome is destroyed and the world ends.

Prophecy VerificationEvaluating predictions against reality for expired time points

#1 Verified undefined: 1143

Motto #1: Ex castro Tiberis (From a castle on the Tiber)

St. Malachy: Pope Celestine II (1143-1144). Born Guido di Castello, from Città di Castello in Umbria, Italy, a town on the banks of the Tiber River. The motto 'From a castle on the Tiber' directly references the pope's birthplace — the Castle City on the Tiber.

Celestine II was born Guido di Castello from Città di Castello on the Tiber. The motto matches precisely. However, this motto predates the 1595 publication and may have been composed after the fact.

#2 Verified undefined: 1145

Motto #3: Ex magnitudine montis (From the great mountain)

St. Malachy: Pope Eugene III (1145-1153). Born in Montemagno, Italy, a name meaning 'great mountain'. He served as abbot of the abbey of Tre Fontane near Pisa. The motto 'From the great mountain' corresponds to the pope's birthplace of Montemagno (great mountain).

Eugene III was born in Montemagno, literally meaning 'great mountain', matching the motto precisely. This motto also predates the 1595 publication.

#3 Partial undefined: 1261

Motto #9: De Pannonia Tusciae (From Pannonia to Tuscany)

St. Malachy: This motto is traditionally linked to a pope connected to both Hungary (Pannonia) and Tuscany. The attribution has been debated among scholars, as the exact correspondence is less clear than earlier mottos.

The correspondence for this motto is less clear than earlier entries. Traditional interpretations attempt to link it to the pope's coat of arms or birthplace, but the exact match is debated. Still predates the 1595 publication.

#4 Verified undefined: 1342

Motto #40: De cruce Apostolica (From the Apostolic Cross)

St. Malachy: Pope Clement VI (1342-1352). Born Pierre Roger, he served as prior of a Holy Cross monastery. His family coat of arms featured a cross. The motto 'From the Apostolic Cross' relates to his monastic background and family heraldry.

Clement VI's monastic background and the cross in his family heraldry match the motto. This predates 1595 and was very likely composed retroactively.

#5 Partial undefined: 1410

Motto #54: De cervo et leone (Of the deer and the lion)

St. Malachy: Antipope John XXIII (1410-1415). Born Baldassare Cossa. He was from Naples and later deposed in Florence. Traditional interpretation links the deer and lion to heraldic symbols of key cities in his papal career. The motto 'Of the deer and the lion' is interpreted as referring to heraldic animal symbols in the antipope's political career.

The heraldic interpretation for Antipope John XXIII has some basis, but the specific correspondence of 'deer and lion' is not entirely clear. This motto still predates the 1595 publication.

#6 Verified undefined: 1534

Motto #70: Flos pilae aegrae (Flower of the sick ball/pillar)

St. Malachy: Pope Paul III (1534-1549). Born Alessandro Farnese. The Farnese family coat of arms featured fleur-de-lis (flowers). The 'flower' in the motto corresponds to the fleur-de-lis in the Farnese family heraldry.

Paul III was from the Farnese family whose coat of arms indeed features six fleur-de-lis, making the 'flower' correspondence clear. However, the 'sick ball/pillar' part is a stretch. This is among the latest pre-1595 mottos.

#7 Verified undefined: 1585

Motto #76: Axis in medietate signi (Axis in the middle of a sign)

St. Malachy: Pope Sixtus V (1585-1590). Born Felice Peretti. His coat of arms featured an axis supported by a lion across a star pattern. This is a critical motto near the 1595 publication date — Sixtus V died in 1590, and Wion published in 1595. The motto 'Axis in the middle of a sign' is linked to the axis and star in the pope's heraldry.

Sixtus V's coat of arms does include an axis and star motifs. As a pope who died in 1590, this motto falls within the pre-1595 range, and its precision fits the pattern of retroactive composition.

#8 Verified undefined: 1590

Motto #78: De antiquitate urbis (Of the antiquity of the city)

St. Malachy: Pope Urban VII (1590, only 13 days). Born Giambattista Castagna in Rome. This is among the first mottos that can be tested as post-1595 predictions. The motto 'Of the antiquity of the city' corresponds to the pope being born in the ancient city of Rome.

Urban VII was indeed born in Rome — one of the most ancient cities. However, he was elected in the 1590 conclave, and the prophecy is believed to have been fabricated precisely for that election, so this motto's 'accuracy' actually supports the forgery hypothesis.

#9 Partial undefined: 1800

Motto #85: Aquila rapax (Rapacious eagle)

St. Malachy: Traditionally linked to Pope Pius VII (1800-1823), who was imprisoned by Napoleon. The 'rapacious eagle' is interpreted as Napoleon — the eagle was the symbol of the Napoleonic Empire. The motto 'Rapacious eagle' is widely interpreted as referring to Napoleon rather than the pope himself.

Pius VII was indeed imprisoned by Napoleon (1809-1814), and the eagle was Napoleon's imperial symbol. However, the motto should describe the pope, not his adversary — the interpretation is inverted. As a post-1595 motto, the match relies on flexible reading.

#10 Partial undefined: 1846

Motto #88: Crux de cruce (Cross from a cross)

St. Malachy: Pope Pius IX (1846-1878). His pontificate was the longest confirmed in Catholic history (31 years, 7 months). During his reign, the Italian unification movement stripped the Papal States of temporal territory, making him the 'Prisoner of the Vatican'. The motto 'Cross from a cross' is interpreted as the pope bearing a cross (suffering) because of the cross (faith) — losing the Papal States was his great trial.

Pius IX did suffer the loss of the Papal States. However, 'Cross from a cross' is a highly flexible interpretation — almost any pope who suffered could fit. As a motto centuries after 1595, the match depends on subjective reading.

#11 Partial undefined: 1878

Motto #89: Lumen in caelo (Light in the sky)

St. Malachy: Pope Leo XIII (1878-1903). Born Gioacchino Pecci. His family coat of arms featured a comet/shooting star, interpreted as the 'light in the sky'. The motto 'Light in the sky' corresponds to the comet/star in the pope's family heraldry.

Leo XIII's family heraldry did feature a comet, providing some correspondence with 'light in the sky'. However, stars in papal family heraldry are not uncommon, so the match is moderate.

#12 Partial undefined: 1903

Motto #90: Ignis ardens (Burning fire)

St. Malachy: Pope Pius X (1903-1914). Born Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto. Known for his zealous reform of the Catholic Church, including his anti-modernist campaign, reform of sacred music, and promotion of frequent communion. The motto 'Burning fire' is interpreted as reflecting the pope's passionate energy for reform.

Pius X was indeed known for reformist zeal, but 'burning fire' is too generic — almost any energetic pope could fit. A typical vague match for a post-1595 motto.

#13 Partial undefined: 1914

Motto #91: Religio depopulata (Religion depopulated/destroyed)

St. Malachy: Pope Benedict XV (1914-1922). Born Giacomo della Chiesa. His pontificate was almost entirely overshadowed by World War I, which caused unprecedented slaughter among Christian nations. The motto 'Religion depopulated' corresponds to the mutual destruction of Christian nations during WWI and the resulting crisis of faith.

Benedict XV's pontificate did overlap with WWI, and the mass slaughter among Christian nations can be read as 'religion depopulated'. However, this links a historical event rather than a personal trait to the motto — a flexible interpretation.

#14 Partial undefined: 1922

Motto #92: Fides intrepida (Intrepid faith)

St. Malachy: Pope Pius XI (1922-1939). Born Achille Ratti. He signed the Lateran Treaty (1929) and issued the encyclical Mit brennender Sorge (1937) openly condemning Nazism. The motto 'Intrepid faith' corresponds to the pope's courage in openly confronting fascism and Nazism.

Pius XI did openly condemn Nazism, showing some 'intrepidity'. However, he also signed the Lateran Treaty with Mussolini, and his stance toward Fascist Italy was more complex. The motto match is selective.

#15 Partial undefined: 1939

Motto #93: Pastor angelicus (Angelic shepherd)

St. Malachy: Pope Pius XII (1939-1958). Born Eugenio Pacelli. He led the Catholic Church during WWII, and his stance on the Holocaust remains controversial. 'Angelic shepherd' is one of the most famous mottos in the prophecy. The motto 'Angelic shepherd' was widely known before the pope's election and may have influenced the conclave.

Pius XII's supporters view him as a holy shepherd, but critics accuse him of silence during the Holocaust. Notably, this motto was widely known before the election, potentially creating a self-fulfilling effect — electors may have favored a candidate who appeared 'angelic'.

#16 Verified undefined: 1958

Motto #94: Pastor et nauta (Shepherd and sailor)

St. Malachy: Pope John XXIII (1958-1963). Born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli. He was Patriarch of Venice (Venice = water city = sailor) and convened the Second Vatican Council, earning him the title of a great shepherd of the Church. The motto 'Shepherd and sailor' corresponds to his role as Patriarch of Venice (sailor) and convener of Vatican II (shepherd).

John XXIII was indeed Patriarch of Venice (sailor = water city) and led the Church by convening Vatican II (shepherd). Both images have clear correspondences. This is one of the best matches among post-1595 mottos.

#17 Verified undefined: 1963

Motto #95: Flos florum (Flower of flowers)

St. Malachy: Pope Paul VI (1963-1978). Born Giovanni Battista Montini. His family coat of arms featured three fleurs-de-lis (irises), and the lily is called the 'flower of flowers'. The motto 'Flower of flowers' corresponds to the fleurs-de-lis in the pope's family heraldry.

Paul VI's Montini family heraldry does feature three fleurs-de-lis, making the 'flower of flowers' correspondence fairly clear.

#18 Partial undefined: 1978

Motto #96: De medietate lunae (Of the half moon)

St. Malachy: Pope John Paul I (1978, only 33 days). Born Albino Luciani. He was elected on August 26, 1978 (waxing moon) and died on September 28 (waning moon), his pontificate spanning roughly half a lunar cycle. The motto 'Of the half moon' is interpreted as referring to his roughly one-month pontificate (half a lunar cycle), suggesting he rose and fell like the moon.

John Paul I's 33-day pontificate is among the shortest in papal history, giving the 'half moon' temporal metaphor some merit. However, the lunar imagery is highly flexible and open to multiple interpretations. His sudden death remains the subject of conspiracy theories.

#19 Verified undefined: 1978

Motto #97: De labore Solis (Of the labor/eclipse of the Sun)

St. Malachy: Pope John Paul II (1978-2005). Born Karol Jozef Wojtyla in Poland. Solar eclipses occurred on both his birthday (May 18, 1920) and the day of his funeral (April 8, 2005). 'Labor of the Sun' (labore Solis) also means 'solar eclipse' in medieval Latin. The motto 'Of the labor of the Sun' is interpreted as the solar eclipse coincidences at his birth and funeral, and also alludes to his tireless global ministry.

A partial solar eclipse visible from southern Europe occurred on John Paul II's birthday (May 18, 1920), and a hybrid annular-total solar eclipse occurred on his funeral day (April 8, 2005). These two eclipse coincidences are the most striking match for this motto. He was also the most-traveled pope in history, and 'labor of the Sun' can also be read as tireless work.

#20 Partial undefined: 2005

Motto #98: Gloria olivae (Glory of the olive)

St. Malachy: Pope Benedict XVI (2005-2013). Born Joseph Alois Ratzinger from Germany. He chose 'Benedict' as his papal name, and the Benedictine Order has a branch known as the Olivetans (Order of Our Lady of Mount Olivet). The motto 'Glory of the olive' is connected through the papal name 'Benedict' to the Benedictine Order's Olivetan branch.

Benedict XVI chose 'Benedict' as his papal name, and the Benedictine Order does have an Olivetan branch. However, Ratzinger was not himself a Benedictine monk. The connection is indirect: papal name → order → branch nickname → olive. Moreover, the self-fulfilling prophecy effect cannot be ignored — Ratzinger may have been influenced by the motto when choosing his name.

#21 Pending undefined: 2013

Motto #99 (or finale): Current Pope Francis

St. Malachy: Pope Francis (2013-present). Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio from Argentina. According to the prophecy list, the 112th and final entry is 'Peter the Roman' (Petrus Romanus). Francis's position in the list has sparked fierce debate: some argue he is the 112th and last pope, while others believe the list has gaps after #111. Whether Francis is the prophesied 'last pope' is the most debated contemporary question.

#22 Pending

Final motto: Petrus Romanus (Peter the Roman)

St. Malachy: "In the final persecution of the Holy Roman Church, there will sit Peter the Roman, who will pasture his sheep in many tribulations. When these things are finished, the city of seven hills will be destroyed, and the dreadful Judge will judge his people. The End." This is the final entry in the prophecy list and the only one with a lengthy description. It prophesies not only the identity of the last pope but also the destruction of Rome and the Last Judgment. The final motto describes a pope named 'Peter' from Rome who will lead the Church through end-times persecution, after which Rome is destroyed and the world ends.