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Cardinals stand during late Pope Francis' funeral ceremony at St Peter's Square at the Vatican on April 26, 2025.
AFP / Mandel Ngan
MANILA, Philippines — The papacy is currently "sede vacante" (vacant see) following the death of Pope Francis, and all sorts of rumors are beginning to spread about his successor.
Among these rumors is the infamous "Prophecy of the Popes," published toward the end of the 16th century by Benedictine monk Arnold Wion.
The "Prophecy of the Popes," which Wion attributed to Saint Malachy, is a series of over a hundred cryptic phrases said to predict the succession of popes.
The final portion of the prophecy ends with a pope called Petrus Romanus or Peter the Roman, and after his papacy, will follow the fall of Rome.
Related: Fact Check: If elected, would Tagle be the first 'Asian' pope?
The prophecy correctly predicts the line of popes beginning from Celestine II in 1143 up to Urban VII in 1590, then a lack of accuracy follows, leading many historians and theologians to deduce the article as a forgery.
What is indeed for certain is that beginning May 7, the College of Cardinals will gather in the Sistine Chapel, as they have for centuries, to elect the next pope.
There are 135 eligible voters, but the Vatican announced two cardinals dropped out for health reasons.
Most of those — around 80 percent — allowed to vote were appointed by Pope Francis. They hail from all corners of the globe, with many from under-represented regions.
RELATED: Cardinals lay groundwork for conclave, hope for quick vote
