While millions of Catholics around the world continue to celebrate the election of a brand new pope, certain theologians reportedly fear that a 450-year-old prophecy is secretly looming over the religious festivities.
On May 7, Rome’s College of Cardinals announced a swift conclusion to the latest conclave, which kicked off on Monday following the passing of 88-year-old former leader Pope Francis on Easter Monday (April 21).
Although many spectators initially placed their bets on candidates such as Pietro Parolin, Luis Antonio Tagle, Peter Erdö, Matteo Zuppi, or Raymond Leo as Francis’ successor, American-born Cardinal Robert Prevost was announced as the election victor.
The 69-year-old from Chicago – who is largely considered a moderate when it comes to modern-day religious beliefs – is the first Pope to hail from the United States and will be known as Pope Leo XIV.
Before the announcement, however, questions were raised by many mystic believers regarding whether or not the identity of Francis’ future successor could align with an eerie prediction made centuries earlier.
Nostradamus’ Chilling Prophecies: A Warning for the Church?
In 1555, French astrologer Michel de Nostredame – better known as Nostradamus – penned a book titled Les Prophéties, which contained several unnerving predictions. Among these prophecies, one centered on the future of Catholicism and the papacy, forecasting major upheavals for the Church.
As well as predicting “cruel wars,” deadly diseases, and natural disasters, Nostradamus made an unsettling prophecy about the papacy: the death of a “very old Pope,” which many believe could refer to Pope Francis, followed by a weakening of the Catholic Church.
“Through the death of a very old Pontiff / A Roman of good age will be elected / Of him it will be said that he weakens his seat / But long will he sit and in mordant activity,” Nostradamus wrote.
This cryptic verse suggests that after the passing of an aged pontiff, a new pope would take the helm, but would face challenges in maintaining the Church’s strength. The idea of a pope “weakening his seat” has been interpreted by many as a reference to the weakening influence or decline of the Church itself in the modern world.
Nostradamus then went on to describe the successor in a way that many have found striking:
“A young man of dark skin with the help of the great king will deliver the purse to another of red colour.”
