Pope Leo XIV is not the "last pope," despite the persistent rumors and conspiracy theories circulating in popular culture and religious circles. Following his election on May 8, 2025, during the papal conclave triggered by the death of Pope Francis, the global discussion regarding the end of the papacy was reignited. However, there is no official, theological, or historical basis within the Catholic Church to support the claim that his reign signals the conclusion of the Petrine office.

The concept of a "last pope" is primarily tied to an extra-biblical source known as the "Prophecy of the Popes," attributed to Saint Malachy. While this document has captivated the public imagination for centuries, modern scholarship and Church authorities categorize it as a historical forgery rather than divine revelation. To understand why Pope Leo XIV is a symbol of continuity rather than an omen of the end, one must examine the facts of his election, the nature of the prophecy in question, and the historical legacy of the name Leo.

Who is Pope Leo XIV?

The election of Pope Leo XIV was a historic moment for the Catholic Church. Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, Illinois, in 1955, he is the first American-born pope in the history of the institution. An Augustinian friar by training, he previously served in high-ranking administrative positions within the Vatican, notably as the Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops.

His elevation to the papacy on May 8, 2025, came at a time of significant global transition. By choosing the name Leo XIV, he signaled a return to a name associated with intellectual rigor, social justice, and the defense of Church doctrine. The name Leo has not been used by a pontiff since the death of Pope Leo XIII in 1903, making this choice a deliberate nod to the "Leonine" tradition of addressing the modern world's challenges through the lens of faith and reason.

The immediate association of Leo XIV with the "last pope" theory is largely a byproduct of timing and the digital age’s appetite for sensationalism. Because he follows Pope Francis—who was often incorrectly identified by conspiracy theorists as the penultimate pope—many looked to his successor as the potential "Petrus Romanus" or "Peter the Roman" mentioned in the Malachy list.

What is the Prophecy of Saint Malachy?

To understand why the "last pope" label is applied to modern pontiffs, it is necessary to analyze the source of this belief. The "Prophecy of the Popes" is a list of 112 short Latin phrases that allegedly describe each pope from the 12th century until the end of the world.

The document was first published in 1595 by an Arnold de Wyon, an internal Benedictine historian, who attributed it to Saint Malachy, an Irish Bishop of Armagh who lived in the 12th century. According to the legend, Malachy had a vision of the future line of popes while visiting Rome in 1139. He supposedly wrote down these cryptic descriptions and deposited them in the Vatican archives, where they remained hidden for over 450 years.

The 112th and final entry in the list is the most ominous. It reads: "In the final persecution of the Holy Roman Church, there will sit Peter the Roman, who will pasture his sheep in many tribulations, and when these things are finished, the city of seven hills will be destroyed, and the terrible judge will judge his people. The End."

Critics and enthusiasts alike have spent decades trying to fit modern popes into these categories. For instance, Pope John Paul II was linked to "De labore Solis" (From the labor of the sun) because he was born during a solar eclipse. Pope Benedict XVI was linked to "Gloria olivae" (The glory of the olive) because the Benedictines are sometimes associated with the Olivetans. When Pope Francis was elected, many struggled to find a direct link, eventually pivoting to the idea that he might be the 111th, making the next pope—now Leo XIV—the final "Peter the Roman."

Why the Prophecy is Considered a Forgery

Historians and the Catholic Church do not view the Prophecy of the Popes as authentic. There are several compelling reasons for this consensus, which debunk the idea that any current or future pope is bound by its descriptions.

The 1590s Context

The most glaring evidence against the prophecy is that it was unknown before 1595. For a document supposedly written in the 12th century, it is suspiciously accurate regarding popes prior to 1590 and remarkably vague or inaccurate regarding those who came after its publication.

Scholars believe the document was created during the 1590 papal conclave to favor the candidacy of Cardinal Girolamo Simoncelli. One of the descriptions in the list for a future pope was "Ex antiquitate Urbis" (From the old city). Simoncelli was from Orvieto (Latin: Urbevetum), which means "old city." The prophecy was likely a piece of political propaganda designed to suggest that Simoncelli’s election was divinely ordained.

Lack of Contemporary Mention

There is no record of Saint Malachy ever mentioning these visions in his own lifetime, nor did his contemporary and biographer, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, mention them in the famous Life of Saint Malachy. Given Bernard’s attention to detail regarding Malachy's spiritual life, the omission of a comprehensive vision of every future pope is a major red flag for historians.

Cryptic and Subjective Interpretations

The phrases are so short and ambiguous that they can be made to fit almost any candidate after the fact. This is a classic example of "retroactive clairvoyance." For example, if a pope comes from a town with a river, any phrase mentioning "water," "flow," or "bridge" is claimed as a successful prediction. This lack of specificity disqualifies the document from being treated as a reliable theological or scientific source.

The Significance of the Name Leo in Papal History

By choosing the name Leo XIV, the current Pope is connecting his ministry to two of the most influential figures in Church history: Pope Leo I (the Great) and Pope Leo XIII. Understanding these predecessors explains why Leo XIV is focused on the future of the Church rather than its end.

Leo the Great: The Defender of Doctrine

Pope Leo I, who reigned from 440 to 461, is remembered for his decisive role at the Council of Chalcedon in 451. During a time of immense christological confusion, he issued the "Tome of Leo," which clarified that Jesus Christ possesses two natures—divine and human—in one person.

The fathers at the Council of Chalcedon famously declared, "Peter has spoken through the mouth of Leo!" This established the papacy as a pillar of doctrinal stability. For Pope Leo XIV, taking this name indicates a commitment to clarity in an era of modern moral and theological ambiguity. It suggests a papacy focused on "telling the world who Jesus truly is," rather than managing an apocalypse.

Leo XIII: The Social Visionary

Pope Leo XIII (1878–1903) was the "last Leo" before the current pontiff. His reign was defined by the publication of Rerum Novarum in 1891, the foundational document of Catholic Social Teaching. At the height of the Industrial Revolution, Leo XIII defended the rights of workers, the legitimacy of private property, and the need for a just relationship between labor and capital.

Leo XIII also promoted the study of science and philosophy, establishing the Biblical Commission and encouraging the use of the philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas to engage with modern atheism. By becoming Leo XIV, the current Pope signals a desire to apply these principles to the 21st-century challenges of artificial intelligence, global inequality, and environmental stewardship.

Is Leo XIV the 112th Pope?

The numerical count of popes is a subject of historical debate because of the presence of "antipopes" (claimants to the papacy who were not canonically elected) during various schisms in the Middle Ages. Depending on how one counts, the 112th pope could have been reached long ago or might not be reached for decades.

Furthermore, the Malachy prophecy does not explicitly state that the 112th pope is the last pope in a chronological sense. It describes a "final persecution" and the destruction of the city, but it does not preclude the existence of successors thereafter in a transformed or relocated Church. However, since the Church regards the prophecy as a 16th-century invention, the numbering system of the Malachy list holds no weight in official Vatican proceedings.

The election of Leo XIV was conducted according to the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis. The transition from Francis to Leo XIV was a standard legal and spiritual succession, confirming the Church's belief in the "Apostolic Succession"—an unbroken chain of leadership that began with St. Peter and is intended to continue until the actual Parousia (Second Coming), the timing of which "no one knows, not even the angels in heaven" (Matthew 24:36).

The Future of the Papacy Under Leo XIV

As the first American pope, Leo XIV faces the task of bridging the gap between the traditional centers of Catholicism in Europe and the growing, vibrant communities in the Global South and the Americas. His papacy is expected to focus on:

  1. Ecclesiastical Governance: Streamlining the Vatican bureaucracy following the reforms initiated by his predecessors.
  2. Interfaith Dialogue: Continuing the work of Pope Francis in building bridges with Islam, Judaism, and Eastern Orthodox churches.
  3. Global Ethics: Addressing the moral implications of emerging technologies and the climate crisis.
  4. Theological Education: Reinvigorating the study of sacred scripture and classical philosophy to counter the "dictatorship of relativism."

None of these priorities suggest a leader preparing for the "end of the world." Instead, they reflect a shepherd preparing his "sheep" for the complexities of the mid-21st century.

How the Church Views End-Times Prophecies

The Catholic Church teaches a "realized eschatology," meaning that while the end of time is a theological reality, the Church's mission is to be active in the world until that moment arrives. Official doctrine warns against "millenarianism"—the belief in a literal 1,000-year earthly kingdom or specific, calculated dates for the end of the world.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that the Church must pass through a final trial before the Second Coming, but it explicitly rejects the use of unapproved private prophecies to predict the timeline of these events. Therefore, even if a prophecy claims a certain pope is the "last," the faithful are not required—and are often discouraged—to believe it.

Conclusion

Pope Leo XIV is the current Bishop of Rome and the head of the Catholic Church, elected in May 2025 to succeed Pope Francis. He is a figure of historical continuity, representing the 14th time a pontiff has chosen the name "Leo" to signify strength, clarity, and social concern. The claim that he is the "last pope" is rooted in the Saint Malachy prophecy, a document widely recognized by historians as a 16th-century forgery.

The papacy remains one of the world's oldest and most resilient institutions. Rather than signaling the end, the reign of Leo XIV represents a new chapter in a nearly 2,000-year-old story. As the Church navigates the "tribulations" of the modern era, it does so not with an eye toward a predicted exit, but with a focus on its ongoing mission of service and evangelization.

FAQ

What is the name of the current Pope?

As of May 8, 2025, the current Pope is Leo XIV, formerly known as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost.

Why is the 112th Pope called "Peter the Roman"?

In the Saint Malachy prophecy, "Petrus Romanus" is the name given to the final pope who will lead the Church through its last persecution. However, this title is widely considered part of a fictional list created in the 1590s.

Is the Saint Malachy prophecy recognized by the Vatican?

No, the Catholic Church does not recognize the Prophecy of the Popes as authentic or divinely inspired. It is classified as private revelation at best and a historical forgery at worst.

Who was the longest-reigning Pope?

Pope Pius IX (1846–1878) holds the record for the longest confirmed reign at 31 years, 7 months, and 23 days. Saint Peter is traditionally credited with a longer reign, though exact dates are harder to verify.

What does the name "Leo" mean for a Pope?

The name Leo, meaning "Lion," has historically symbolized a defender of the faith. Pope Leo I is a Doctor of the Church known for his christological teachings, and Pope Leo XIII is known for his work on social justice and modern science.