Scenes of jubilation erupted around the globe as white smoke rose from the Vatican, signaling the official election of a new Pope. Pope Francis, who faithfully led the Catholic Church from March 2013 until his passing in April 2025 at the age of 88, left behind a legacy that now transitions to new leadership.
Amid growing interest in the intersection of artificial intelligence and the papacy, speculation ran wild. Pope Francis had previously warned of the “evils” of AI, and controversy followed when an AI-generated image showed former President Donald Trump as the next Pope.
AI incorrectly predicted that Cardinal Pietro Parolin would succeed Francis. Instead, the role went to Robert Prevost, who has now assumed the title of Pope Leo XIV.
Pope Leo XIV makes history as the first American to ascend to the papacy. However, his election may also mark a somber milestone, as an ancient prophecy suggests he could be the last Pope.
ChatGPT has tried to predict Pope Leo XIV’s reign (TIZIANA FABI / Contributor / Getty)
Nostradamus narrowly missed the mark with his prediction that a new Pope would emerge in 2024, so it’s wise not to take every prophecy at face value.
Still, Saint Malachy’s famous “Prophecy of the Popes” adds an eerie twist. He claimed there would be 112 Popes following his death, with the final one referred to as “Peter the Roman.” While that name bears little resemblance to Robert Prevost or Pope Leo XIV, some speculate that Leo could be a modern interpretation of the prophecy. According to Malachy, “Peter the Roman will pasture his sheep through many tribulations, and when these are finished, the city of seven hills will be destroyed, and the dreadful judge will judge his people. The End.”
There’s no shortage of apocalyptic talk these days—AI has even predicted a potential World War III—but considering Malachy described Peter the Roman as Italian, and Leo XIV is American-Peruvian, it seems we might still have some time before the end.
While Pope Leo XIV may offer a sense of stability for now, some wonder if his successor could be the mysterious “Peter the Roman” foretold in prophecy. To get a sense of how long Leo XIV might reign, ChatGPT was asked for its thoughts—and the AI suggests the 69-year-old pontiff could be leading the Church for the foreseeable future.
When questioned directly—”How long will the new Pope last?”—ChatGPT responded that, given his age and apparent health, “it’s reasonable to anticipate that Pope Leo XIV could serve for several years.” The chatbot didn’t offer a specific timeline but noted that his reign would likely depend on factors such as health, the Church’s evolving needs, and his handling of both theological and social issues.
“As with any pontiff,” ChatGPT added, “his tenure will be shaped by both personal and institutional factors.”
History offers some encouraging precedent: Pope Francis served until his death at 88, and Benedict XVI lived to 85. The Vatican is known for providing excellent care for its Popes. In fact, the longest-living Pope, Leo XIII, held office from 1878 until his death at 93. If names carry any symbolic weight, perhaps Pope Leo XIV is just getting started.
