The French mystic, famous for his prophetic writings, had foretold the death of a “very old” Pope, suggesting that the Catholic Church’s power could be significantly weakened in the future. In his 1555 book Les Prophéties, Nostradamus wrote, “Through the death of a very old Pontiff / A Roman of good age will be elected / Of him it will be said that he weakens his seat / But long will he sit and in mordant activity.” While the exact interpretation of this passage remains a subject of debate, many believe it refers to the death of Pope Francis and the potential challenges that his successor might face.
Nostradamus also speculated on the successor to Pope Francis, describing a “young man of dark skin” who would “deliver the purse to another of red colour” with the assistance of a “great king.” This part of the prophecy has sparked widespread discussion, with some interpreting it as a reference to a potential change in leadership within the Vatican.
Nostradamus, who gained fame for accurately predicting major events such as the rise of Adolf Hitler and the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, has been credited with foreseeing a variety of world events. The timing of his latest prediction, following the Pope’s death after a series of health complications, has prompted some to wonder whether it could be another of his foretellings coming to fruition.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, had been in poor health for some time. He had been hospitalized in February and March 2025, battling pneumonia and other complications. Despite these health setbacks, he remained active in his duties until his final weeks, continuing to meet with dignitaries and deliver blessings to the faithful.
The death of Pope Francis is only one of many bleak predictions made by Nostradamus for 2025. His forecasts also include devastating wars, new outbreaks of plague, and catastrophic natural disasters, such as a “fireball from the cosmos” and severe environmental damage in Brazil.
The prophecy about the weakening of the Catholic Church, alongside other grim predictions for the coming years, continues to capture the attention of both believers and skeptics alike. As the Vatican begins the mourning period for Pope Francis, the question remains: will Nostradamus’s other predictions unfold as he foresaw?