The head of the Roman Catholic Church, who is battling bilateral pneumonia, is in critical condition, doctors are cautious in their prognosis, but the Vatican has announced that Pope Francis’ kidneys have failed. In the wake of the headlines about the not-so-easy situation, a frightening prophecy by 16th-century Nostradamus has emerged.

Nostradamus wrote about the pope in his 1555 book “Les Propheties.” He predicted that the current religious leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, could be replaced. He warned of “the death of a very old pope.”

“With the death of a very old pope … a Roman will be elected in good years. He will be said to have failing eyesight … but he will be active and in charge for a long time,” the book states.

Prophecies have long been open to interpretation, and many argue that they should not be taken too literally. And the Pope is also associated with a prediction by the 12th-century Irish Saint Malachy.

“In the last persecution of the Holy Roman Church, Peter the Roman will be at the head, who will lead his flock through many troubles, and when it is all over, the city on seven hills will be destroyed, and a terrible judge will judge its people. The end.”

Some think that this means that a change of pope could mean the end of the world, writes the Daily Mail.

Pope Francis, 88, was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on February 14 after struggling to breathe for several days. He was diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia. Many faithful are praying for his recovery.