Pope Francis has died at the age of 88 on Easter Monday - seemingly fulfilling a centuries-old prophecy made by Nostradamus.
The Vatican announced the Pope's passing after he had been hospitalised with pneumonia in both lungs.
The death appears to align with a prediction made by the French astrologer Michel de Nostredame in 1555, who foretold "the death of a very old Pontiff" in his book of prophecies.
Writing in his famed book Les Prophéties, Nostradamus stated: "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."
Michel de Nostredame was a French astrologer famous for his predictions
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Stargazers had previously suggested this prophecy could possibly refer to Pope Francis when he first fell ill earlier this year.
In the past, the astrologer has been credited with accurately predicting numerous major world events, including the rise of Hitler and the Covid pandemic.
For some time ahead of his death, Pope Francis had been suffering from health issues.
He was first hospitalised in February for more than five weeks, forcing him to cancel several appearances - including his weekly prayer to pilgrims in St Peter's Square.
Over the past year, the Pope had experienced an abdominal hernia, two falls, and had previously been hospitalised for three days in March 2023 with bronchitis.
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Nostradamus also appeared to hint at details of Pope Francis' successor in his prophecies, writing: "A young man of dark skin with the help of the great king will deliver the purse to another of red colour."
While these prophecies are often open to interpretation, some have suggested this could represent a particularly significant handover in leadership within the Roman Catholic Church.
The Conclave to choose a successor will not take place for at least 15 days, while the pontiff's body lies in state in St Peter's Basilica during an official mourning period.
Unlike most of his predecessors, he will be buried in the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome's Esquilino neighbourhood.
Pope Francis died at the age of 88
GETTYJust yesterday, Pope Francis had greeted Catholic faithful gathered at St Peter's Square for Easter Sunday to deliver his 'Urbi et Orbi' benediction from a balcony overlooking the square following mass.
However, the death of Pope Francis is just one of several grim predictions Nostradamus made for 2025 as the mystic also foretold European powers would clash with England, devastating the country and creating new "foes".
Additionally, he predicted the return of the plague, writing: "A great pestilence from the past returns, no enemy more deadly under the skies."
Other prophecies include a "fireball from the cosmos" and climate change causing natural disasters in Brazil.
