Is the New Pope ‘Leo,’ the Lion of the False Prophet? How Can We Know Without “Judgment?”

Posted May 24, 2025 | End Times Watch

In these final days, many are Discerning the Signs of the Times with Eyes on Scripture.

We are watching world events with heightened spiritual sensitivity. The 2025 papal conclave has introduced a new global religious leader—Pope Leo—a name that immediately strikes the discerning believer. Why? Because “Leo” means lion in Latin.

This raises a sobering and provocative question:
Could Pope Leo be the symbolic “lion” connected to the False Prophet of Revelation?

The Name “Leo” — A Lion Indeed

In Scripture, the lion has two powerful meanings:

• Jesus Christ is the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5)—a righteous King, full of authority and victory.
• But Satan also mimics this image to deceive:

“Your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” – 1 Peter 5:8

So, when a pope takes the name Leo, it’s worth pausing. Is this lion a reflection of Christ’s righteousness—or a counterfeit roar, echoing the enemy? We ask these questions not to judge a person wrongfully, but to consider possible ties to scriptures so that we can recognize the warnings of Christ.

The False Prophet in Revelation

The Bible speaks clearly of a second beast—the False Prophet—who rises alongside the Antichrist:

“And I beheld another beast… and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.”
– Revelation 13:11

This figure:

• Looks gentle and religious (like a lamb),
• But speaks with deception (like a dragon),
• And leads the world to worship the Antichrist,
• Performing false miracles and enforcing the Mark of the Beast.

A pope, as the most globally recognized religious figure, could fit this role if he:

• Promotes religious unity at the expense of biblical truth,
• Embraces a one-world religion or interfaith agenda,
• Supports a global leader or economic control system,
• Downplays Jesus as the only way to salvation.

A Lion Who Unites the World?

If this new Pope Leo begins:

• Calling for peace without the Prince of Peace,
• Embracing all religions as equal paths to God,
• And helping implement global digital systems of control…

…then yes, we may be watching the False Prophet step onto the stage.

What Should Believers Do?

1. Stay in the Word. Compare every teaching to the Bible. If it contradicts Christ, reject it.
2. Watch and pray. Jesus said deception would be the first sign of the end (Matthew 24:4).
3. Prepare your heart. This is the hour to walk closely with Jesus. Stay holy, humble, and hopeful.

The name Leo may be more than a name—it could be a sign. But as watchmen on the wall, we don’t jump to conclusions. We weigh all things by Scripture and stay sober, not sensational.

If Pope Leo preaches Christ crucified, we rejoice. If he exalts man, government, or another gospel, we must speak up and warn others.

“Let no man deceive you by any means…” – 2 Thessalonians 2:3
“Blessed is he that watcheth…” – Revelation 16:15

As followers of Christ, we’ve been taught not to judge people, but when it relates to judging characters in the end times, what would Jesus say to give us clarification regarding our judgment?

The key is understanding what kind of judging is condemned in the Bible and what kind is commanded—especially when it comes to false prophets, false teachers, and deception in the last days.

1. What Jesus Meant by “Judge Not”

Jesus said in Matthew 7:1 (KJV):

“Judge not, that ye be not judged.”

This verse is often quoted out of context. Jesus was warning against hypocritical judgment—condemning others for sins we commit ourselves or judging with a harsh, self-righteous attitude. But He was not forbidding all discernment.

In fact, just a few verses later, Jesus says:

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Ye shall know them by their fruits…” — Matthew 7:15–16 (KJV)

That requires judgment—not in the sense of condemnation, but discernment.

2. Righteous Judgment Is Commanded

Jesus also said:

“Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” — John 7:24 (KJV)

This shows that there is a type of righteous judgment believers are commanded to exercise, especially in spiritual matters. It involves:

• Using the Word of God as the standard
• Discerning truth from error
• Protecting the flock from deception

3. Judging the False Prophet and the End Times

During the Tribulation, the False Prophet (Revelation 13:11–18) will perform miracles and deceive many into worshiping the Antichrist. If believers did not judge rightly, they could be deceived.

Paul says:

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:21

“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” — Romans 16:17

This means testing, discerning, and sometimes calling out false teaching and false spirits—especially in the last days.

4. Discernment Is Not Condemnation

It’s not about looking down on people—it’s about standing for truth. When we warn about the False Prophet or apostate religion, we’re not judging their eternal destiny (only God can do that), but we are called to:

• Expose deception
• Guard the church
• Help others stay grounded in truth

Summary

Unbiblical Judgment	Biblical Judgment
Hypocritical (Matthew 7:1–5)	Righteous and discerning (John 7:24)
Condemning someone’s soul	Testing doctrine and spirits (1 John 4:1)
Based on opinions or appearances	Based on the Word of God (2 Tim 3:16–17)

So yes, we are not to judge in a self-righteous, condemning way. But we must judge in a biblical, discerning way—especially when it comes to the false prophet, false teachers, and deception in the end times.

Discernment is a righteous tool that God would like us to do throughout our lives, and especially in the end times. Let’s keep our eyes open for the False Prophet and the Antichrist who will, or already are, taking the world stage. Then, when we have identified them, let’s share the information with “The Church” so that we can all be aware of the deception that is to come.

Thank you for supporting my writings. I invite you and your friends to cointinue learning about the events unfolding relating to the end times, by joining my bolg at www.EndTimesWatch.blog.

I will not be writing for the next week, as I will be riding through the beautiful mountains that our God has created for us.

Until then, may you Trust God to be with you today, and always. Much Love and Prayers headed your way.

River Wilde