Buzz
Fueled by a New York Post article discussing Pope Francis unveiling "five holy portals" this Christmas, the more eccentric segments of social media are buzzing with claims that the Pope intends to open the so-called "Tomb of Lucifer" or the Devil's Tomb during the festive season.
The TikTok clip from GraceXDigital, which has garnered over 2 million views, delves into this conspiracy theory. Grace poses pressing questions to the Pope, such as, "Why now, especially in this economic climate?"
Although the Pope is indeed opening five portals as 2024 concludes, I must disappoint you by clarifying that His Holiness has no plans to unseal Lucifer's Tomb—reality is rarely as thrilling as rumors suggest. While a tomb associated with Lucifer exists beneath the Vatican, it's far less dramatic than imagined. Sadly, this entire tale lacks the excitement many anticipate.
What exactly are these portals the Pope is set to open?
This year, the Pope will indeed open five sacred portals as part of a ceremonial tradition. However, the term "portal" simply refers to a door, with four of the five leading to renowned basilicas. Contrary to the claims of online conspiracy theorists, this is not an unprecedented event—it occurs every 25 years and symbolizes a year of renewed hope for Catholics. Essentially, it’s the Pope engaging in typical papal activities.
The only novel aspect of this ritual is Pope Francis’s decision to open a fifth door at the Rebibbia prison in Rome on December 26. This gesture is intended to inspire inmates to embrace hope and confidence for the future. The act is purely symbolic, so don’t expect any prisoners to be released into the streets of Rome.
The Tomb of Lucifer and the Vatican’s Underground Necropolis
The intriguing part of this tale: Beneath the Vatican lies an ancient city of the dead, home to the Tomb of Lucifer, and it’s open for visitors. The Vatican Necropolis, located 15 to 24 feet below Saint Peter's Basilica near the Circus of Caligula, was once an open-air cemetery. Dating back to the Roman Empire, it is said to house the remains of the Apostle Peter, several Popes, and other early Catholic figures. Among its secrets is the Tomb of Lucifer.
However, this isn’t the Lucifer—the Morning Star, the fallen angel who became the ruler of demons. The ultimate fate of that Lucifer remains unclear. Perhaps he’s still alive, subtly tempting people to cheat at Monopoly, or maybe he’s redeemed and back in Heaven, or perhaps he’s stuck in Newark. (Dante’s depiction places Lucifer in the deepest pit of Hell, frozen in ice, eternally flapping his wings to keep Hell running, so I’ll side with that.) Regardless, the angelic Lucifer isn’t a physical being, so he wouldn’t have a tomb.
As per the Vatican’s Necropolis map, Tomb U is marked as "Lucifer." The Vatican explains: "The tomb’s entrance has been narrowed due to a structural issue in the architrave. Still, you can see some niches with their distinctive red backgrounds and several arcosoli." Red backgrounds? Must be Satan, right? Not quite. This tomb was built before the name "Lucifer" became linked to the devil. The reason for the name remains a mystery—it might stem from graffiti found nearby or refer to a notable Catholic with that name. It definitely doesn’t reference the devil.
Why do so many Catholic conspiracy theories exist in the first place?
The transformation of the Pope opening doors in Vatican City into a TikTok conspiracy theory is a multifaceted issue. Anti-Catholic sentiment in America traces back to before the nation’s founding. While these deep-rooted biases likely play a role, I believe the primary reason for such conspiratorial thinking is simpler: the Catholic Church is ancient, enigmatic, and people enjoy adding a dash of intrigue to their holiday festivities.
People also love solving puzzles, and the Catholic Church offers an abundance of pieces to work with. The Vatican is an ancient city brimming with tunnels, decaying Roman ruins, and a Necropolis beneath a basilica. The Pope governs a city-state, claims divine communication, and dons some remarkably ornate hats. It’s the kind of setting where anything seems possible at any moment—even the Pope unearthing Satan’s grave, perhaps for an epic showdown.
Much like conspiracy theorists, Dan Brown, and the creators of the Assassin's Creed series, I, too, wish the extraordinary were true. I dream of a dramatic clash in Vatican City involving angels, demons, and even aliens. However, real-life morality doesn’t operate in such black-and-white terms. Even when the "good guys" don ornate headpieces, they remain imperfect—barely 51% virtuous on their best days.
Evil isn’t confined to a tomb, wielding fiery weapons. While it would be thrilling if the Pope could summon divine power to vanquish wrongdoers, despite his regalia, scepters, and symbolic might, his greatest act is simply opening ancient doors in the papal palace and encouraging reflection on the struggles of the imprisoned.
