End of the world? Death of Pope Francis brings Irish saint's 900-year-old prophecy into focus

Vatican secretary of state cardinal Pietro Parolin prays during the Rite of Certification of Death of Pope Francis in the chapel of Casa Santa Marta on Monday in Vatican City, Vatican. Photo: Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images

The death of Pope Francis has brought into focus an Irish saint’s 900-year-old prophecy claiming to herald judgement day and the end of the world.

St Malachy is believed to have dreamt a vision of the papal line of succession up to the present day. At this time, the prophecy predicts when ‘Peter the Roman’ is pope, then Rome will be destroyed. The people will face a dreadful judgement, according to the lore.