Did Nostradamus Predict the Death of Pope Francis—And the Rise of a Final Antichrist?

Written by: Sam Orlando

STAUNTON, VIRGINIA - As Catholics worldwide mourn the passing of Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday at the age of 88, the prophecy world is abuzz with speculation: Did the 16th-century astrologer Nostradamus foresee this moment? And if so—what might come next?

A centuries-old quatrain from Les Prophéties, the famed collection of verses penned by Michel de Nostredame, appears to eerily mirror recent events:

“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.”

In the wake of Pope Francis’s death, believers see uncanny parallels—an aging pope passes, a new one is chosen, and the Church itself is said to be weakened. While some dismiss these as vague coincidences, others argue that this is merely the beginning of something far darker Nostradamus foresaw.

The Third Antichrist: What Nostradamus Really Predicted

Among Nostradamus’s most feared predictions is the rise of three “Antichrist” figures—tyrants or warlords who would plunge the world into chaos. Though the term “Antichrist” never appears verbatim in his quatrains, modern interpretations have long pointed to three malevolent forces throughout history.

The first two are widely believed to be Napoleon Bonaparte and Adolf Hitler—each responsible for years of brutal conflict and reshaping of global power.

The third, however, remains unnamed.

According to prophetic scholars, this final Antichrist is described in cryptic terms: a young and charismatic leader who rises suddenly, deceives the masses, and unleashes a global war. His reign is said to be the most devastating of all—ushering in not only conventional warfare, but possibly nuclear conflict, famine, and mass suffering.

One quatrain reads:“From the East shall come a great king of terror / The heavens shall tremble at his passing / Fire and steel shall rain upon the earth / The tyrant's name shall be but a whisper of doom.”

Other passages speak of a 27-year war, global upheaval, and a “time of mourning unmatched in memory.” Though wildly open to interpretation, these prophecies continue to alarm those who believe we may already be on the threshold of such an era.

Where Will the Third Antichrist Come From?

Perhaps the most unsettling part of Nostradamus’s writing is the ambiguity surrounding where this figure will emerge. Some quatrains suggest he comes from the Middle East or Asia. Others imply he may rise from Europe—or even the West.

One popular translation references:

“A young man of dark skin with the help of the great king will deliver the purse to another of red colour.”

While some interpret this as a prediction of Church succession, others claim it's about power transfer—potentially even geopolitical dominance.

Historical context suggests Nostradamus envisioned threats from the East (a likely reference to the Ottoman Empire or modern equivalents), but recent reinterpretations have opened the door to more global possibilities, including the United States.

With rising authoritarianism, economic instability, and a deeply divided political climate across the U.S. and Europe, some ask: Could the third Antichrist already be positioning themselves within a major Western power?

It’s worth remembering that Nostradamus’s predictions are deliberately vague—written in poetic riddles and astrological metaphors. Scholars warn that they’ve been stretched and twisted to fit countless narratives over the centuries. But to believers, the patterns are starting to feel uncomfortably familiar.

A World on Edge

Whether Nostradamus truly foresaw the death of Pope Francis, or whether history is simply playing tricks on us, the renewed interest in his grim forecasts speaks volumes about our times. Wars rage on multiple fronts, climate disasters grow more severe, and trust in institutions—religious, political, and otherwise—continues to erode.

If the next Pope does, in fact, "weaken his seat," some fear it may fulfill the next stage in a long-dreaded prophecy. One that doesn't end with a funeral, but with fire.