Is the Black Pope coming? Nostradamus' apocalyptic prediction surfaces

The death of Pope Francis at 88 years old reactivated one of the most debated omens of recent times:  the prophecy of the "Black Pope" announced by Nostradamus. For many of his followers, this would be the last successor of Peter. He is the one who would preside over the Church during a global spiritual collapse and, according to some, even the Final Judgment.

The 16th-century French astrologer had already been cited after the resignation of Benedict XVI. But with the departure of Jorge Mario Bergoglio from the Vatican, the focus returns to his writings.

Some interpreters of his work claim that the papal sequence he predicted is coming to an end. "First, there will be a foreign Pope (Benedict XVI), then an old Pope (Francis), and finally, a Black Pope. With him, the end of the world."

The "Black Pope" and the conclave that reopens the myths

Although the term  "Black Pope" has been interpreted in various ways from a metaphor about the hidden power of the Jesuits to a racial reading.

In the current context, it takes on special relevance due to the presence of two African cardinals among the possible successors:

• Peter Turkson, from Ghana, 76 years old, with a notable role in social and environmental issues.
• Robert Sarah, from Guinea, of a conservative line, 79 years old, highly respected by the traditionalist wing of the Vatican.

Both are seen as viable options to lead the Church in a time of crisis, and their eventual election would revive the theory of the prophecy's fulfillment. It should be clarified that the Catholic Church has never had an African pope in modern times, which would also mark a historical turning point.

The list of Saint Malachy and "Petrus Romanus"

The theory of the "last Pope" doesn't belong solely to Nostradamus. It also appears in the prophecy of Saint Malachy, a 12th-century manuscript attributed to an Irish archbishop, which describes a list of 112 pontiffs. The last in the series is "Petrus Romanus," who will supposedly govern the Church "during great tribulations" before the Final Judgment.

Although the Vatican has never officially recognized this prophecy, its dissemination continues to fuel eschatological theories every time a pontiff dies. In that context, Francis would have been the penultimate on the list.

Farewell to Francis and the beginning of a decisive stage

The Vatican confirmed the death of Francis on Monday, April 21, at 7:35 (Rome time), through an official statement. Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, in tears, bid him farewell with these words: "His entire life has been dedicated to the service of the Lord and his Church."

As was his wish, Francis's body will be laid in state in St. Peter's Square, in a humble coffin, at ground level. A scroll with the milestones of his pontificate will be placed inside the casket, sealing his spiritual legacy.

Meanwhile,  138 cardinals under 80 years old are preparing to elect the new pontiff in the upcoming conclave. In a climate of growing expectation, the world watches to see if the Vatican will choose a Pope who, for some, could seal the fulfillment of ancient predictions. True or not, the prophecy adds a symbolic element to a process that is already, by itself, historical and momentous for the future of the Church.