(OPINION) With the news of Pope Francis’ passing at the age of 88, I want to address the Prophecy of the 112 Popes, attributed to St. Malachy, and the alleged Three Days of Darkness, both of which have gained significant attention over the years.

I will be the first to admit that for many years, I preached and taught on the prophecy of the 112 popes as something the body of Christ should watch for regarding the end times.

However, as I have matured in the Lord and his Word over the years, I have realized that many of these alleged prophecies are based on oral traditions, legends, and even possible forgeries.

We must remember that these prophecies are not rooted in the Bible, and Christians should approach them with caution.

The Prophecy of the 112 Popes

The Prophecy of the 112 Popes is attributed to St. Malachy, a 12th-century Irish bishop. According to tradition, Malachy received a vision in 1139 or 1140 while in Rome, in which he saw a list of 112 future popes, each described by a brief Latin motto.

The prophecy allegedly begins with Celestine II (elected in 1143) and concludes with a figure known as “Peter the Roman,” whose reign is said to coincide with the destruction of Rome and the end of the world.

The authenticity of the prophecy is highly questionable. The document first appeared in 1595, over 400 years after Malachy’s death, in a text by Benedictine monk Arnold Wion.

Scholars widely regard it as a forgery, possibly created to influence papal elections during the late 16th century. The mottos are vague and open to interpretation, making them easy to retrofit to various popes after the fact.

For example, the motto for Pope John Paul II, “De Labore Solis” (“From the Labor of the Sun”), has been linked to his global travels and Polish heritage, but such connections often feel speculative and subjective.

More critically, the Prophecy of the 112 Popes has no basis in Scripture. The Bible does not mention a specific sequence of popes or tie the papacy to an apocalyptic timeline.

While the Bible contains prophecies about the end times (e.g., in Daniel, Matthew 24, and Revelation), these focus on broader events, such as the return of Christ and the establishment of God’s kingdom, not on a specific pope that will rise to power in the end times.

Christians are called to test all teachings against Scripture (1 Thessalonians 5:21; Acts 17:11), and the absence of any biblical support for Malachy’s prophecy should give pause.

Relying on extra-biblical prophecies like Malachy’s can lead to speculation and distraction from the clear teachings of Scripture.

The Bible warns against false prophets and deceptive signs (Matthew 24:24; 2 Timothy 4:3-4), urging believers to focus on God’s revealed Word.

Furthermore, the Catholic-specific nature of the prophecy ties it to a particular ecclesiastical tradition, which may not resonate with all Christians and can foster division rather than unity in the broader body of Christ.

Three Days Of Darkness

Then we have the alleged prophecy of the Three Days of Darkness is another widely circulated claim, particularly in Catholic circles and online.

It predicts a period of global darkness lasting three days, during which demonic forces will roam the earth. Only those who remain indoors with blessed candles will be safe.

This prophecy is often attributed to various Catholic mystics, such as Blessed Anna Maria Taigi or Padre Pio, though no definitive source exists.

Like Malachy’s prophecy, the Three Days of Darkness lacks a clear historical foundation.

The concept appears to have emerged from 19th- and 20th-century private revelations, which are not binding in Catholic theology and require discernment.

Many of the texts promoting this prophecy are apocalyptic in tone and circulate on the internet without verifiable attribution. The lack of a unified, authoritative source raises questions about its legitimacy.

The Bible does not describe a specific event involving three days of darkness as an end-time prophecy.

While Scripture mentions darkness in connection with God’s judgment (e.g., the ninth plague in Exodus 10:21-23 or the darkness at Jesus’ crucifixion in Matthew 27:45), these are not presented as a future, global event tied to demonic activity or blessed candles.

Some proponents attempt to link the prophecy to Revelation 6:12-17 or Joel 2:10, but these passages describe cosmic signs in general terms, not a precise three-day period.

The Bible’s apocalyptic imagery is meant to convey God’s sovereignty and the ultimate triumph of Christ, not to provide a checklist of specific events.

The Three Days of Darkness prophecy often promotes fear and sensationalism, encouraging believers to stockpile religious items or prepare for catastrophic events.

This focus can distract from the Bible’s call to live faithfully in the present, trusting in God’s providence (Matthew 6:34).

Additionally, the prophecy’s emphasis on Catholic sacramentals, such as blessed candles, may alienate non-Catholic Christians and reinforce a reliance on rituals rather than faith in Christ alone.

Both the Prophecy of the 112 Popes and the Three Days of Darkness share common characteristics: they are rooted in Catholic tradition rather than Scripture, lack clear historical or textual support, and foster speculation about the future.

While they may appeal to those seeking insight into the end times, they risk leading believers away from the sufficiency of God’s Word. The Bible provides clear guidance for navigating such claims:

Test everything against Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Acts 17:11).

Prophecies or teachings that lack biblical grounding should be approached with skepticism.

Avoid false prophets (Matthew 7:15; 1 John 4:1).

Claims of divine revelation must align with the character and truth of God’s Word.

Focus on Christ’s return, not speculation (Matthew 24:36; Acts 1:7). The Bible teaches that no one knows the day or hour of Christ’s return, and believers are called to live in readiness and faithfulness.