End-Time Catholic Prophecy: St. Malachy, the Last Popes, Pope Francis, and the Carlo Acutis Mystery
In a time when the world is filled with uncertainty, many turn to ancient prophecies for clarity—or at least for signs. Within Catholicism, one of the most mysterious and debated prophecies is that of St. Malachy, a 12th-century Irish bishop who is said to have received a vision of all future popes until the end of time. His list of 112 mottos has drawn the faithful and the skeptical alike for centuries.
But recent events—the reported death of Pope Francis—have brought the final part of this prophecy into sharp focus. Could we truly be standing at the threshold of the last chapter in the Church’s earthly story?
And where does a young, holy tech-savvy teenager named Carlo Acutis fit into all of this?
The Final Three Popes in the Prophecy of St. Malachy
Let’s first revisit the last five popes as described by St. Malachy’s prophecy:
- “De labore Solis” (Of the labor of the sun) – Pope John Paul II
Born and buried during solar eclipses, he was a luminous figure of hope and global unity. - “Gloria olivae” (The glory of the olive) – Pope Benedict XVI
A Benedictine echo in name and spirit, he led with quiet scholarship. His resignation—the first in centuries—signaled a turning point. - “In persecutione extrema S.R.E. sedebit” – (During the final persecution of the Holy Roman Church, he will sit)
This ominous line introduces the final pope but gives no motto—only the setting: tribulation, division, crisis. - “Petrus Romanus” (Peter the Roman) – ???
Pope Francis: Death of the Final Shepherd?
On April 21, 2025, news broke that Pope Francis had died. While details are still emerging, his passing has sent shockwaves through the Catholic world. Not only because of his role as a reformer and polarizing figure but because of the prophetic weight his papacy carried.
Though not named Peter, many believed he fulfilled the Petrus Romanus title symbolically:
- As Bishop of Rome, he was quite literally “Peter of Rome”—the modern successor to Peter.
- Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio to Italian (Roman) immigrants, his bloodline tied him to Rome.
- His papacy was marked by global unrest, a divided Church, and moral confusion—fitting the “extreme persecution” era.
If Francis was indeed Petrus Romanus, then his death could mean the end of St. Malachy’s list—and, symbolically, the beginning of the final confrontation between good and evil that many mystics have spoken of. Or… it could mean a new pope is about to emerge—one not listed, stepping into uncharted prophetic territory.
Can Prophecy Be Understood Before It Happens?
Prophecy in the Catholic tradition isn’t usually about prediction—it’s about preparation. Biblical prophecy, the apparitions at Fatima and Akita, and the writings of mystics like St. John of the Cross or St. Faustina only become clear in hindsight.
It’s possible we’ll only recognize the true Petrus Romanus after all is said and done. Perhaps Pope Francis was a “type” of the final pope… or perhaps he was the last listed for a reason.
The Carlo Acutis Question: The Digital Prophet of a New Age?
While the end-times conversation tends to dwell in doom, Blessed Carlo Acutis provides a compelling contrast: a beacon of youthful holiness and simplicity in a complicated world.
Known for cataloging Eucharistic miracles online, Carlo’s devotion was centered on the Real Presence of Christ—a powerful theme that echoes the mystical warnings of a coming Eucharistic famine and later Eucharistic renewal.
But a lesser-known detail adds new fuel to speculation.
His Mother’s Vision
It’s been quietly circulated in Catholic circles—though not officially confirmed—that Carlo’s mother, Antonia Salzano, experienced a vision or dream. In it, she was reportedly told that:
“Before Carlo is canonized as a saint, all will be revealed.”
What does that mean? Interpretations vary:
- A global Church crisis might unfold before his canonization, revealing hidden truths.
- His sainthood may coincide with a dramatic prophetic fulfillment—perhaps marking a new spiritual age.
- Or perhaps Carlo himself is destined to be recognized as a prophetic voice for the digital generation, pointing toward a Church renewed through suffering.
If Pope Francis was the last pope listed in Malachy’s vision, and Carlo’s canonization is approaching, the timing becomes hard to ignore.
Conclusion: Are We in the Final Chapter?
The death of Pope Francis may be just the beginning of a much larger story. Whether he was Petrus Romanus or simply the prelude to one, his passing marks the end of an era. And if Carlo Acutis is part of the next chapter—as a prophet, intercessor, or sign—then we may be entering a moment of unveiling.
But one truth remains: Christ is the Alpha and the Omega. While prophecy may point, only faith can walk.
🙏 Watch. Pray. Remain faithful. The story is not over. 🙏
