The Pope Is Dead: What Is Next?

The legacy of Pope Francis

Francis was the first non-European pope in more than a millennium and the first Latin American pontiff. He moved the church away from its European roots “toward regions such as Africa and Asia” where Catholicism “is growing” (WSJ, April 22, 2025). “The Argentine pope transformed the demographics of Roman Catholicism’s senior leadership. He empowered churchmen from the farthest points of the globe, elevating them to cardinals in places such as Mongolia and the Democratic Republic of Congo” (ibid).

Francis sought to reform the Catholic Church

As pope, Francis initiated open dialogue with many Catholics, lay members and clergy alike, in various synods around the globe. Synods are a series of conferences that aim to offer counsel to the pope on matters related to the church. Interestingly, in 2019, the Catholic Church in Germany initiated its own synod and proposed a monumental reform of Catholic tradition regarding priestly celibacy and ordaining women as deacons (National Catholic Reporter, June 18, 2024). Francis rejected the advice and “expressed deep reservations about the direction of the Catholic Church in Germany” (Catholic News Agency, November 21, 2023). Bishops from around the world expressed concern that the process could induce schism between Germany and the Universal Church (Catholic News Agency, October 21, 2023). 

Such pressures to reform the church will greet the Catholic cardinal elected to take his office. The next pope “will be selected during conclave, a secretive gathering of cardinals from all over the world. Several factors will contribute to the selection process, including the diversity of thought among the voting cardinals and the current political state across the globe” (NPR, April 22, 2025).

An end time false religion 

Anything that happens to the pope is newsworthy. That is not only because he is the leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. It is also because the pope and the Catholic Church fit the mold of an end-time, false religious system linked to a charismatic world leader called “the Beast” (Revelation 13:11-15). Bible prophecies in Daniel and Revelation warn of a coming time of global upheaval. From this turmoil, a worldwide religious and political system, a revival of the Roman Empire, will emerge to restore economic order and enforce peace. This power block could arise from Germany, which has Europe’s largest economy. Given its militaristic past and the potential for a German-led schism of the Catholic Church, this is an intriguing possibility. 

The leading charismatic figure of the false religious system, whom the Bible calls "the false prophet" (Revelation 16:13), will perform astonishing miracles. He will persuade the world to worship “the beast,” the political head of this end-time power (Revelation 13:8). The whole world will come under the sway of these two leaders who form an unholy union of church and state. History bears out the powerful role that popes and the Roman Catholic Church played in propagating the dominance of the Roman Empire. Because the historical record fits remarkably well with Bible prophecy, it is reasonable to wonder if the next pope will be the false prophet. 

Watch world events

We cannot say with certainty whether the next pope will be this false religious leader or not. However, it is likely that he will play a role in hastening the final, world-shaking events preceding Christ's return. Whatever happens, we must remain watchful of world events as Christ admonished us, “What I say to you, I say to all: Watch!” (Mark 13:37).

Events are swirling about us that are leading to "the time of Jacob's trouble" (Jeremiah 30:7). Christ warned us that when this comes, "there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world" (Matthew 24:21). We understand from prophecy that this coming time will give rise to a great, world-ruling power that the entire world will follow. We must, therefore, remain vigilant about what is happening. As Christ said, "Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is" (Mark 13:33).