Mystery grows around the future of the Church: what do ancient prophecies say?
A shudder ran through the networks this Easter Monday. The announcement of Pope Francis’s passing on April 21 immediately stirred imaginations. And as often happens at such times, old prophecies resurfaced, stirring both hopes and the deepest fears. Nostradamus, Baba Vanga, Saint Malachy… Three names resurface in an attempt to shed light on the uncertain future of the Church, and perhaps even the world.
Nostradamus and the legend of the “black pope”
It’s hard not to mention the famous 16th-century French seer when a major event shakes the world. According to some enthusiasts, Nostradamus predicted the death of an “elderly pope,” followed by the arrival of a mysterious “black pope.” This term, far from neutral, is interpreted in two ways.
For some, it would be a pope of African origin, a providential man capable of guiding humanity through dark times. This scenario is reinforced by the presence of several African candidates among the favorites to succeed Francis, such as Guinean Cardinal Robert Sarah and Ghanaian Peter Turkson.
Others believe the phrase refers to Pope Francis himself. Indeed, the “black pope” is also the nickname given to the superior general of the Jesuits—the order to which Francis belongs—because of his discreet influence and the black color of his cassock. The prophecy would therefore be symbolic, playing on titles and traditions.
Baba Vanga and the disasters of 2025
Known for her enigmatic and spectacular visions, Baba Vanga, a Bulgarian clairvoyant who died in 1996, also supposedly spoke of the year 2025 as an apocalyptic turning point. According to her orally transmitted stories, this year would mark the beginning of the “end of time.”
Solar flares, global conflicts, climate change… the versions vary, but all point to the same conclusion: something major is about to happen. These predictions, while impossible to verify, fuel the collective imagination, especially in times of uncertainty.
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