The Pope, the Prophecy, and the Truth: Why Christians Shouldn’t Be Distracted by It

Not every light on the balcony comes from heaven.

For centuries, whispers of a final pope have stirred speculation and fear, fueled by a medieval prophecy many have never read and fewer understand. Now, with the unprecedented appointment of an American pope, those ancient rumors have reignited with fresh intensity. Is this merely coincidence, a political maneuver within the Vatican, or something far more prophetic? Before we rush to conclusions shaped by folklore and fear, we must ask—what does the Bible actually say about all of this? And does it mention a final pope at all?

Christ Alone is the Head of the Church

The concept of a pope—viewed as a singular, supreme human leader over the entire Church—is not supported by Scripture. The Bible is clear that Christ alone is the Head of the Church, and no earthly figure holds that authority.

“And He put all things under His [Jesus] feet and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body…” (Ephesians 1:22–23).

To elevate any human to this position is to diminish the supremacy of Jesus Christ, who alone governs, sustains, and leads His people. Any religious structure that appoints a man to this divine role stands in contradiction to God’s established order.

 All Believers Are Priests (Priesthood of All Believers)

The Bible also affirms that all believers are priests, a truth that eliminates the need for any singular human mediator between God and His people.

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood…” (1 Peter 2:9); “

…and made us a kingdom, priests to His God and Father…” (Revelation 1:6). This priesthood of all believers grants every follower of Christ direct access to God through Jesus, without requiring the intervention of a pope or any other spiritual authority. To establish a man in such a mediating role not only contradicts Scripture but also undermines the complete and perfect access believers have through the finished work of Christ.

Leadership in the Church is Plural and Servant-Hearted

Biblical leadership is designed to be plural and servant-hearted, not concentrated under one supreme human authority.

“Shepherd the flock of God among you… not lording it over those assigned to you, but being examples to the flock.” (1 Peter 5:2–3).

The New Testament consistently shows leadership shared among elders (presbuteros) and overseers (episkopos), with an emphasis on humility and service rather than power and control. Even Peter—whom some claim as the first pope—never elevated himself above others. Instead, he humbly referred to himself as a fellow elder (1 Peter 5:1), modeling the servant leadership Christ commanded rather than establishing a hierarchical throne over the Church.

Not every light on the balcony comes from heaven.

The Title “Holy Father” is Reserved for God Alone

The title “Holy Father” is a designation that Scripture reserves for God alone. Jesus clearly taught,

“And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.” (Matthew 23:9).

This was not a casual suggestion but a direct warning against exalting human leaders to spiritual positions that belong solely to God. Yet, the pope is regularly addressed by this very title, placing a man in a position of reverence and authority that contradicts the words of Christ. Such elevation of a human figure undermines God’s unique holiness and the intimate relationship believers are called to have directly with their Heavenly Father.

The concept of an infallible pope directly contradicts the clear teaching of Scripture.

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23).

The idea that any man—no matter his position—is incapable of error on matters of faith and morals is both unbiblical and historically disproven. Even Peter, often claimed as the first pope, was publicly rebuked by Paul for his hypocrisy and failure to walk in line with the truth of the gospel (Galatians 2:11–14). This confrontation proves that no leader, not even an apostle, was above correction. Scripture consistently reveals that Christ alone is perfect, and all men remain fallible, dependent on His grace and truth.

The papacy is a man-made institution, developed centuries after the early Church, primarily formalized with Pope Leo I in the 5th century and solidified by the First Vatican Council in 1870 with the doctrine of infallibility. It is rooted more in church tradition and political history than in the teachings of Scripture.

The true biblical model keeps Christ as the only Head, with leadership focused on humble service, shared authority among elders, and the universal priesthood of believers.

So now let’s discuss the prophecy everyone is talking about:

Who Was Malachy?

St. Malachy (1094–1148) was a Catholic archbishop recognized for his efforts in reforming church practices, but his connection to the so-called “Prophecy of the Popes” is highly questionable. This prophecy wasn’t even mentioned until over 400 years after his death, when it suddenly appeared in 1595, published by a Benedictine monk named Arnold de Wyon. There is no historical evidence that Malachy ever authored such a prophecy, and most credible scholars believe it to be a forgery, likely created to manipulate the papal elections of that era. In light of this, its credibility crumbles under historical scrutiny, and more importantly, it carries no weight when measured against the authority of Scripture.

The higher the throne of man, the greater the fall without Christ.

The "Prophecy of the Popes," attributed to St. Malachy, has long intrigued both scholars and the faithful. However, its authenticity is highly questionable. The prophecy was first published in 1595 by Benedictine monk Arnold Wyon in his book Lignum Vitae, over 400 years after St. Malachy's death in 1148.

There is no historical evidence that Malachy ever authored such a prophecy, and most credible scholars consider it a forgery, likely created to influence the papal elections of that era. Wikipedia

The prophecy consists of 112 cryptic Latin phrases, each purportedly describing a future pope. Notably, the descriptions are remarkably accurate up to the time of its publication but become vague and symbolic thereafter. This pattern suggests that the earlier entries were crafted with the benefit of hindsight, while the later ones lack specificity, allowing for broad interpretation. 

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One theory posits that the prophecy was created to bolster the candidacy of Cardinal Girolamo Simoncelli during the 1590 papal conclave. The prophecy's description of the pope following Urban VII as "Ex antiquitate Urbis" ("from the old city") aligns with Simoncelli's hometown of Orvieto, which in Latin is "Urbevetanum," meaning "old city." This coincidence has led many to believe that the prophecy was a political tool rather than a divine revelation. 

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Furthermore, the Catholic Church has never officially endorsed the prophecy. While it has been a topic of interest and speculation, especially during times of papal transition, it holds no doctrinal authority. The Church encourages the faithful to focus on the teachings of Scripture and the guidance of the Holy Spirit rather than on unverified prophecies. The Best Catholic

While the "Prophecy of the Popes" remains a fascinating historical artifact, its origins and purpose are rooted more in political intrigue than in divine inspiration. Christians are advised to approach such prophecies with discernment, always measuring them against the truth of Scripture.

While the Catholic Church does not officially endorse the prophecy as authentic, it also hasn’t formally condemned it, leaving it in the realm of legend rather than verified historical fact.

Does the Bible Mention a Line of Popes or a Final Pope?

The False Prophet prepares the stage; the Antichrist claims the throne.

No, the Bible makes no mention of an unbroken line of popes, nor does it describe a final pope as a central prophetic figure in the end times. Instead, Scripture identifies two primary figures involved in the last days:

• The Antichrist/Beast (2 Thessalonians 2:3–4; Revelation 13), who will exalt himself above all that is called God and demand worship.

• The False Prophet (Revelation 13:11–18), who will perform great signs and deceive the nations into worshiping the Beast.

While neither of these figures is directly connected to the papacy in Scripture, some theologians throughout history—particularly during the Protestant Reformation—suggested that the papacy exhibits characteristics that mirror these roles, especially through its long history of spiritual corruption, false doctrines, and claims of divine supremacy. The Bible’s focus remains on Christ’s return, not on the rise of a final pope.

 How Does Scripture Tell Us to Judge Prophecies?

Scripture provides clear and direct instruction for how believers are to judge prophecies. First, we are commanded to test the prophets.

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God…” (1 John 4:1).

Not every prophetic word is from the Lord, and if a prophecy leads people away from Christ, promotes unbiblical authority, or elevates man above God, it is to be rejected. True prophecy always glorifies God and calls people back to His Word and His ways.

We must also ask, does the prophecy align with God’s Word? Isaiah 8:20 declares,

“To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn.” 

Scripture is the final authority on all matters of truth. Any prophecy that does not align with it is false. Malachy’s so-called prophecy does not point people to repentance, faith in Christ, or the message of salvation.

Instead, it focuses on the succession of popes and the preservation of institutional power—things centered on human authority rather than on the lordship of Jesus Christ.

Finally, the Bible makes it clear that accuracy is non-negotiable.

“When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken…” (Deuteronomy 18:22).

True prophecy is never hit or miss; it is always perfectly fulfilled. Yet, many of Malachy’s so-called predictions are vague, symbolic, and clearly retrofitted to match historical events after they occurred. The supposed accuracy quickly unravels when applied to modern times, proving these predictions lack the divine precision required of a true word from God.

When signs and wonders lead to worship of a man, the Beast is not far behind.

Is there a final religious leader in the end times? According to Scripture, there will be a figure known as the False Prophet, described in Revelation 13:11–18, who will perform deceptive miracles and lead the world into worshiping the Beast, also known as the Antichrist. While some have speculated that a future pope could fulfill this role because of the Catholic Church’s global influence and historical patterns of religious authority, this remains speculation and is not explicitly confirmed by Scripture.

The Bible does not name the False Prophet or directly tie this role to any specific religious office or institution, leaving the focus on his actions rather than his title or affiliation.

Stick to Biblical Prophecy, Not Sensational Claims

Jesus warned plainly,

“See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.” (Matthew 24:4–5).

This warning is just as relevant today, especially when people become consumed with extra-biblical prophecies like Malachy’s. Such fascinations often lead to distraction from the truth, unnecessary fear, and false hope rooted in human predictions rather than God’s unshakable Word.

The Bible alone fully equips us to understand what’s coming and how to stand firm in the days ahead (2 Timothy 3:16–17). Its central prophetic message is not to obsess over identifying final human leaders or chasing speculative timelines, but to remain spiritually awake and steadfast: Be ready. Stay faithful. Keep your eyes on Christ.

Biblically, Christians should not be following or placing their hope in Malachy’s prophecy—or any extra-biblical prophecy—as a source of truth or guidance. Scripture is clear that believers are to test everything against the Word of God, and if it does not align, it is to be rejected.

Malachy’s so-called prophecy is not inspired Scripture; it was written centuries after the apostolic age closed, and there is no divine confirmation of its origin. The Bible warns against adding to or taking away from God’s Word.

“Do not add to His words, or He will rebuke you and prove you a liar.” (Proverbs 30:6).

Additionally, Revelation 22:18–19 gives a sobering warning to those who add to the prophetic words of Scripture.

Following this prophecy also violates the principle of keeping our focus on Christ and His return, rather than becoming entangled in speculative theories that produce fear, distraction, and even a false sense of spiritual preparedness. Jesus Himself said,

“It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by His own authority.” (Acts 1:7).

While the Bible does contain true and reliable prophecy, its purpose is not to satisfy human curiosity but to call us to holiness, readiness, and faithfulness. When believers chase after unverified prophecies, they risk trading the certainty of God’s Word for the uncertainty of man’s imagination.

Ultimately, the focus for every believer should remain on the living Word—Jesus Christ—and the promises clearly outlined in Scripture. Our calling is not to speculate over end-time theories but to stay alert, remain faithful, and advance the Kingdom of God until Christ returns. “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…” (Hebrews 12:2).

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