On May 13, 1917, three shepherd children—Lucia dos Santos, Jacinta Marto, and Francisco Marto—reported seeing a “lady brighter than the sun” in a hollow near Fátima, Portugal. Over the next six months, Our Lady of Fátima would deliver three secrets that would spark decades of speculation, conspiracy theories, and questions about what the Vatican has truly kept hidden from the world.

Check out Unexplained History for a detailed breakdown of the event!

The Three Secrets of Fátima Revealed

The First Secret: A Vision of Hell

The first secret of Fátima was a terrifying vision of hell. Lucia reported seeing “a sea of fire” where demons and souls writhed in agony. This apocalyptic vision was meant to emphasize the consequences of humanity straying from faith. But it was the second and third Fátima secrets that would truly capture the world’s imagination—and fuel conspiracy theories for generations.

The Second Secret: World War II and Russia’s Conversion

The second secret of Our Lady of Fátima delivered an eerily accurate prophecy. The children were told that World War I would soon end, but “if [people] do not cease offending God, a worse war will break out during the pontificate of Pius XI.”

The prophecy came true. World War II erupted. But the Fátima prophecy went further, calling for the consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary to prevent its errors from spreading. This has led endless debate: Was the “conversion of Russia” truly accomplished, or does the secret point to future events still unfolding?

The Third Secret of Fatima: The Great Cover-Up

What Was Actually Revealed in 2000

In June 2000, the Vatican finally released what they claimed was the complete text of the third secret of Fátima. It described an angel with a flaming sword, the persecution of Christians, and the assassination of a “Bishop in White”—interpreted as the 1981 assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II.

But skeptics immediately questioned: Is this the full secret?

The Conspiracy: Is There a Missing Fourth Secret?

Numerous researchers and theologians have argued that the third secret of Fátima released by the Vatican is incomplete. Sister Lucia reportedly wrote the secret on four sheets of paper, yet the Vatican published only three. Some conspiracy theorists suggest the authentic third secret of Our Lady of Fátima contains:

The complete collapse of the Catholic Church from within
Apostasy affecting the highest levels of the hierarchy
Nuclear catastrophe triggered by human hands
The arrival of the Antichrist in Rome

Cardinal Oddi, a close friend of Pope John Paul II, allegedly stated before his death that the published version was “not the complete secret.”

The 1917 Fátima Prophecy: End Times Connections

The Miracle of the Sun

On October 13, 1917—the final apparition—over 70,000 witnesses reported seeing the sun “dance” in the sky, spin, and plunge toward the earth. This “Miracle of the Sun” validated the children’s visions but left scientists baffled. How could three uneducated peasant children predict a celestial phenomenon witnessed by thousands?

Jacinta and Francisco’s Mysterious Deaths

Both younger visionaries died within two years of the apparitions—victims of the Spanish Flu pandemic. Jacinta specifically predicted her own death, claiming she would die alone but Francisco would wait for her. Before dying, Jacinta reportedly received additional secrets about the end times that were never revealed to Lucia or made public.

What Is the Real Third Secret of Fatima?

The Vatican’s Documented Suppression

The Vatican sat on the third secret of Fátima for 83 years. Even after the 2000 release, documents remain sealed in the Holy Office archives. Why such prolonged secrecy? Conspiracy researchers point to:

Sister Lucia’s alleged silencing by Church authorities
Confiscated letters and diaries
The consistent refusal to consecrate Russia specifically in union with all bishops
The appearance of secret societies within the Catholic hierarchy after Vatican II

The Fatima Prophecy and Modern Events

Russia’s Role: Fulfilled or Ignored?

Skeptics argue that the 1984 consecration performed by Pope John Paul II was invalid—Russia was never mentioned by name. Since then, Russia has indeed spread its “errors” globally. Some Fatima conspiracy theorists connect this to:

The rise of secular communism in the West
The degradation of traditional Christian values
Geopolitical conflicts leading toward nuclear confrontation

Jacinta’s Vision: “A Time When the Faith Will Vanish”

Before her death, Jacinta Marto delivered a chilling additional prophecy: “A time will come when the faith will vanish even from Italy. The Church will be darkened.” For conspiracy-minded readers, this points directly to apostasy within the Catholic Church hierarchy itself—a theme echoed in the suppressed portions of the third secret.

Conclusion: The Secret Yet to Be Revealed

The third secret of Fátima remains one of Catholicism’s most tantalizing mysteries. Whether the Vatican possesses the complete text, whether Sister Lucia was silenced, or whether the final revelation points to apocalyptic events still ahead—these questions continue to drive global speculation.

What is undeniable: three children in 1917 predicted a world war, the rise of Soviet Russia, and an assassination attempt on a future pope. If they were right about those details, what else might the third secret of Our Lady of Fátima contain that we haven’t been told?

The secrets of Fátima continue to whisper across time, challenging believers and conspiracy theorists alike to question what power structures have hidden—and what future events may yet fulfill the final prophecy.

Check out Unexplained History for a detailed breakdown of the event!

The Third Secret of Fatima: What the Vatican Has Hidden for Over a Century