The topic of a black Pope has captured the imagination of many Christians who are interested in end times prophecy. However, the Bible does not specifically predict that there will be a black Pope during the end times.
Here is an overview of what the Bible does and does not say about this topic:
The Bible does not explicitly prophesy a black Pope
Nowhere in Scripture do we find a clear, direct prophecy that there will be a black Pope in the end times. The Bible does not mention the ethnicity of any future leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
Some people have tried to interpret vague passages as pointing to a black Pope, but there is no solid biblical evidence for this specific prediction.
The “Peter the Roman” prophecy is extrabiblical
Some have cited the “Prophecy of the Popes” attributed to St. Malachy as predicting a “Peter the Roman” who will be the final Pope before the return of Christ. However, this is not considered an authoritative biblical prophecy. It originated outside the Bible in disputed circumstances.
While interesting, this extrabiblical prophecy should not be elevated to the status of inspired biblical prediction. The Bible itself does not contain the “Peter the Roman” prophecy.
The Bible warns of deception in the end times
Jesus and the apostles did broadly warn that deception, false prophets, and false messiahs would increase in the end times:
For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. (Matthew 24:24)
But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies… (2 Peter 2:1)
These warnings indicate that we must be discerning and not naive, even about influential religious figures and predictions.
Bible prophecy focuses more on events and trends than specific roles
Rather than concentrating on the ethnicity of a particular position like the papacy, biblical end times prophecy focuses more on broader events, trends, and characteristics:
- Increasing wickedness and lawlessness (Matthew 24:12)
- Many falling away from the faith (1 Timothy 4:1)
- Rise of false prophets and teachers (2 Peter 2:1)
- Intensified persecution of believers (Revelation 6:9-11)
- Outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Joel 2:28-29)
- Widespread proclamation of the gospel (Matthew 24:14)
- Emergence of a world ruler and unifying religion (Revelation 13)
Specific details about individuals are less emphasized than discerning the signs of the times in trends and movements.
We do not know if the end times Pope will be European or non-European
Some watchers of prophecy have speculated that since the vast majority of Popes have been European, having a Pope from Africa or another region could potentially fulfill end times predictions. However, the Bible does not say anything definitively about the ethnicity of the end times Pope.
Revelation 17 refers symbolically to a “great prostitute” with power over kings and nations (commonly interpreted as a religious system headquartered in Rome). But it does not specify details about the background or ethnicity of its leader.
So while a non-European Pope in the end times is possible and even perhaps likely, the Bible does not directly address or require this.
Interpretations should not go beyond Scripture
When studying end times prophecy, we need to be careful not to make firm conclusions that go beyond what Scripture clearly states. We should distinguish between insights and speculation.
The Bible does not specifically prophesy a black Pope. Any interpretation of a black Pope ushering in the end times relies more on human speculation than clear biblical exposition.
At the same time, the general warnings about deception imply the need for discernment regarding all end times predictions and fulfillments – even from within the Church.
Racial identity will not matter in the new creation
When seeking to understand Bible prophecy, we must remember that in Christ racial and ethnic differences lose their significance:
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28)
In the new creation, redeemed people of every tongue, tribe and nation will worship Jesus together (Revelation 5:9). Worldly categories of race, gender, and status will not affect a person’s standing before God.
So while an end times black Pope remains a theoretical possibility, the Bible does not emphasize race in relation to prophecy. Our focus should remain on Jesus.
We need humility in interpretation
Honest students of the Bible readily admit the difficulty of understanding and properly interpreting biblical prophecy about the end times.
There are reasonable debates and disagreements among Christ-followers about the meaning of passages related to the culmination of history and Jesus’ return.
Rather than adamantly speculating about details not clearly predicted in Scripture, we need humility in our attempts to discern the signs of the times.
We should avoid dogmatism about speculative theories that the Bible itself does not explicitly teach – including suppositions about the possibility of a black Pope in the end times.
The need for biblical discernment
While we cannot find definitive biblical evidence about a black Pope, this does not mean we should be naive about church trends and potentials.
We know the warnings to stay alert regarding deception. And we can thoughtfully observe and discuss societal and institutional patterns and trajectories from a biblical perspective.
If a black Pope (or some other significant religious leader) emerges, believers should carefully subject prophecies and teachings to biblical discernment rather than presuming integrity and trustworthiness based on position and authority alone.
Clarity about what Scripture does and does not say can help the Church avoid deception without descending into reactionary excess or racial prejudices.
Our focus should be proclaiming the gospel
Rather than fixating on speculative interpretations of prophecy, followers of Jesus have a mission: proclaiming the good news of salvation to all peoples, including people of every race and ethnicity.
Jesus commanded His disciples to take the gospel to the ends of the earth (Matthew 28:19-20). This ministry of reconciliation and redemption should remain the priority of believers (2 Corinthians 5:18-21).
When we stand before God, what will matter most is not predicting prophetic details but rather fulfilling Christ’s commission to make disciples of all nations.
We must test interpretations against Scripture
In summary, the Bible does not specifically prophesy an end times black Pope. Such interpretations go beyond clear biblical evidence. They should not be dogmatically proclaimed as fact.
At the same time, prayerful students of Scripture can thoughtfully discuss and debate how current trends may or may not align with general end times warnings about deception.
But all such discussions should be humbly submitted to the authority of God’s Word. Any interpretation must be tested against the clear testimony of Scripture.
The Bible alone must form the foundation and filter for discernment regarding prophecy and events – including any speculation about the ethnicity of a potential end times Pope.
