Prophecy of the Popes
The Papal Prophecy (Latin: Prophetia Sancti Malachiae Archiepiscopi, de Summis Pontificibus, “Prophecy of Saint Malachia Archbishop on the Supreme Pontiff”) is a series of 112 short, cryptic sentences written in Latin that supposedly predicted Catholic popes (and some antipopes) starting with Celestine II. The prophecy was first published in 1595 by Benedictine monk Arnold Wion, who attributed it to Saint Malachias, the 12th-century Archbishop of Armagh.
Given the accuracy of the descriptions of popes before about 1590 and the lack of accuracy of subsequent popes, historians generally believe that the alleged prophecy is a pseudo-inscription written shortly before its publication. The Catholic Church has no official position, although some Catholic theologians believe it to be a forgery. The prophecy ends with a pope named “Peter the Roman”, whose tenure is said to be before the destruction of the city of Rome.