Is Pope Leo XIV the final Pope? Chilling prophecy sparks debate

Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, is the first American pope, elected as the 267th leader of the Catholic Church. A Chicago native, he’s seen as the second pope from the Americas after Francis. His election brings optimism, aligning with Francis’ views on poverty, migration, and the environment. Crowds at St. Peter’s Basilica chanted “Viva il Papa” during the announcement.

The Prophecy of the Popes, attributed to 12th-century mystic Malachy, claims 112 popes will follow, ending with “Peter the Roman.” Some linked Francis, who died April 21, 2025, at 88, to this final pope, but experts like Father James Weiss and Professor Joëlle Rollo-Koster dismiss the prophecy as a forgery lacking evidence. No connection is made to Leo XIV.