Revelation 17:1–5 describes a woman—“the great harlot”—sitting on a scarlet beast with seven heads and ten horns, clothed in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold, precious stones, and pearls, and holding a golden cup in her hand. Some interpreters see symbolic parallels between this imagery and the historical pageantry of the Roman Catholic Church. They point to the use of red and purple garments worn by cardinals and bishops, the gold and jeweled ornamentation historically associated with papal regalia (such as the papal tiara), and the use of a golden chalice in the Mass as visual similarities to the woman’s attire and golden cup.

Revelation 17:6-7 describes the woman as “drunk with the blood of the saints.” Many historic Protestant interpreters connect this to persecution under the Roman Catholic Church, citing events like the Spanish Inquisition and the reign of Mary I of England, when Protestants were executed for rejecting papal authority. Others view the passage more broadly as symbolic of corrupt religious power.

Revelation 17:8 describes a beast that “was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit,” causing the world to marvel. Some interpret this as a future false prophet figure who appears to return from death, creating global deception. In that view, a resurrected leader identified by some as Pope Francis would mirror Christ’s death-and-life pattern, fulfilling Jesus’ warning that the end begins with powerful deception that captivates those not written in the Book of Life.

Revelation 17:9 says, “The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits.” Since the angel interprets the symbol directly, many see this as pointing to a literal location widely associated with Rome, known historically as the city of seven hills. In this view, the text identifies a physical setting rather than abstract kingdoms, though others interpret the mountains symbolically as ruling powers. It's unwise to doubt the interpretation of the angel giving the answer.

If someone follows the interpretation that the “seven kings” of Revelation 17:10 represent a sequence of modern popes beginning in the early 20th century, the first five who “have fallen” (meaning they died) would commonly be listed as:

1. Pope Pius XI

2. Pope Pius XII

3. Pope John XXIII

4. Pope Paul VI

5. Pope John Paul I

In this framework, these five are considered the “fallen” because each has died, leaving the remaining two in the prophetic sequence.

In this interpretation of Revelation 17:10, after “five have fallen,” the phrase “one is” points to the 6th king in the sequence. Applied to the modern papal line beginning with Pius XI, the sixth would be Pope John Paul II. During his long reign (1978–2005), he was the one actively ruling—“the one who is” at that moment in the unfolding prophetic timeline.

1. Pope Pius XI

2. Pope Pius XII

3. Pope John XXIII

4. Pope Paul VI

5. Pope John Paul I

6. Pope John Paul I

In this view of Revelation 17:10, “the other has not yet come; and when he comes, he must remain a short time” points to the seventh pope in the sequence. This is interpreted as fulfilled in Pope Benedict XVI, whose pontificate (2005–2013) was unusually brief. His historic resignation in February 2013 marked a rare and short tenure, aligning with the phrase “continue a short time.”

Some interpret Revelation 17:11—“the beast…is himself also the eighth”—as pointing to the pope who followed Benedict XVI. In this view, Pope Francis, elected in March 2013, is seen as the “eighth” arising from the previous seven. Interpreters who hold this position identify him as the “beast of the sea” and the “false prophet,” a final religious leader in their end-times framework.

Revelation 17:8,11 repeats “was, and is not, and yet is,” which some see as a heavenly title “the resurrected one.” In this belief framework, the death of Pope Francis in April 2025 sets the stage for a future return, marking him as a candidate for the beast who ascends. Such a resurrection would be the prophetic turning point that launches the final events of Revelation.