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UKNext Pope Odds and Prediction
Next Pope odds are available at top online sportsbooks like Bovada. You can place your bets now and whenever the new Pope is elected, you will win (or lose) your bet. But who should you back?
Leading contenders include Pietro Parolin, Luis Tagle, and Matteo Zuppi, while longshots like Sean Patrick O’Malley present interesting value.
In this guide, I’ll break down their chances and share my top prediction on who could be the next leader of the Catholic Church.
Odds for Who Will Be the Next Pope
Betting on the next pope isn’t something you see every day, but the odds make it worth considering.
To see what I mean, just take a look at the Next Pope Odds which I took from Bovada, a sportsbook famous for its bonuses and promos, great odds, and user-friendly business philosophy.
| Next Pope After Francis I | Odds |
|---|---|
| Pietro Parolin | +400 |
| Luis Tagle | +500 |
| Matteo Zuppi | +800 |
| Peter Erdo | +900 |
| Agostino Vallini | +1000 |
| Raymond Burke | +1000 |
| Angelo Scola | +1200 |
| Marc Ouellet | +1200 |
| Christoph Schonborn | +1400 |
| Peter Turkson | +1500 |
| Pierbattista Pizzaballa | +2000 |
| Seán Patrick O’Malley | +2200 |
It’s hard to pinpoint why certain candidates are priced over others, which explains why the odds are so long even for the top favorite – Cardinal Pietro Parolin is priced at +400.
His main competitors – at least in the eyes of bookies – are Luis Tagle, Matteo Zuppi, and Peter Erdo, all of whom have odds of under +1000.
There are more than a dozen other cardinals who are in the game for the biggest job in the Catholic world, with Seán Patrick O’Malley standing out as one of the top longshots.
Best Site for Betting on the Next Pope Bovada Sportsbook
Bovada is a great option for betting on who’s going to be the next Pope. The odds are great for literally any pick you might have in mind.
Don’t see your favorite candidate on the list? Don’t worry, you can always request odds through Bovada’s X (Twitter), using the hashtag #WhatsYaWager.
The best thing is that betting on the next Pope is just one on a long list of miscellaneous markets available at Bovada. This is the place where you can bet on whether an asteroid will hit the Earth or whether a celebrity will come out as an alien
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Why is Cardinal Pietro Parolin Favored to Be the New Pope?
Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, is one of the most experienced diplomats in the race for the top position in the Church hierarchy.
With over three decades in the Holy See’s diplomatic service, he has held key assignments all around the globe – the United States, Nigeria, Mexico, and Venezuela.
Fluent in English, Italian, French, and Spanish, Parolin’s credentials make him a strong contender for the papacy. If you believe he’ll be the next Pope, you can back him at +400 on Bovada.
Top Contenders to Be the Next Pope
I think bookies are correct to think of Cardinal Pietro Parolin as the No. 1 favorite to become the next Pope. But I wouldn’t be shocked if someone else got the job.
The two names that come to mind are Cardinal Luis Tagle and Cardinal Matteo Zuppi.
Cardinal Luis Tagle (+500)
Luis Antonio Tagle a.k.a. “Chito” is already a high-ranking figure in the Catholic Church, but can he take it a step further? Sure, it’s not up to him, but judging by the next Pope odds, such a thing isn’t impossible.
However, there’s one thing that might stop him from becoming Pope Chito – he might be too progressive in the eyes of the conclave.
His progressive views on LGBTQ issues and divorced Catholics don’t align perfectly with the Church’s conservative tradition, which could make his path to the papacy a longshot.
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi (+800)
Zuppi has a strong resume, currently serving as the Archbishop of Bologna and President of the Episcopal Conference of Italy. He’s also held key roles, including Auxiliary Bishop of Rome, and was elevated to Cardinal by Pope Francis – a connection that could boost his chances.
So why the long odds? Same as “Chito”, he too has somewhat progressive leanings. Sure, Zuppi does align with some conservative values, which makes him a decent candidate for the papal seat.
Best Value Pick to Become Pope Next
- Seán Patrick O’Malley (+2200) – Bet Now!
Unlike the previous three candidates, Seán Patrick O’Malley isn’t known for being progressive. The former Archbishop of Boston leans considerably more conservative, which could improve his chances of being elected.
O’Malley was elevated to Cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI in 2006 and took over as Archbishop of Boston following the Bernard Law scandal.
While Law covered up widespread abuse, O’Malley took action. He played a pivotal role in establishing the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.
His traditional stance aligns with the Church’s values, which makes him a pretty decent bet. In fact, if I were an oddsmaker, I’d make this guy the No. 1 favorite.
Tips for Betting on the Next Pope
Chances are, you’ve never placed a bet on the next Pope before. It’s not exactly an entertainment betting market you see every day. In fact, you might not have even known these odds were available until now.
If you’re thinking about making a wager, it’s worth going in with a solid game plan. Here are two key factors to consider before making your next Pope prediction.
Look to the Right
The whole world is leaning to the right these days and the Church (probably) loves it. As you might know, the Catholic Church is very conservative. There are a few candidates who are slightly progressive, which could make them risky bets.
It’s unclear what the College of Cardinals is looking for exactly, but it’s likely someone who clearly leans to the right.
No Controversies
The Catholic Church has had it enough with controversies over the last couple of decades. This is why they’re very careful to pick a candidate whose bio is as clean as it can get. After all, it wouldn’t be a good look if they ushered in a new pope who had some alarming accusations against them in years past. So, my tip for you is to go through the candidates’ biographies thoroughly to make sure there are no red flags.
Most Recent Popes
| Name | Years Active | Official Title |
|---|---|---|
| Francis | 2013-Present | FRANCISCVS |
| Benedict XVI | 2005-2013 | BENEDICTVS |
| St John Paul II | 1978-2005 | IOANNES PAVLVS Secundus |
| John Paul I | 1978-1978 | IOANNES PAVLVS Primus |
| Paul VI | 1963-1978 | PAVLVS Sextus |
| John XXIII | 1958-1963 | Vicesimus Tertius |
| Pius XII | 1939-1958 | PIVS Duodecimus |
| Pius XI | 1922-1939 | PIVS Undecimus |
| Benedict XV | 1914-1922 | BENEDICTVS Quintus Decimus |
| Pius X | 1903-1914 | PIVS Decimus |
Next Pope Prediction for 2025
- Seán Patrick O’Malley (+2200) – Bet Now!
So, here I am backing Sean O’Malley again. Okay, this time, it’s not a UFC fighter who’s my pick. Instead, it’s a cardinal from Boston who I think will become the next Pope.
His odds of +2200 could make you suspicious, but the thing is that this betting market is very unpredictable. Actually, that’s the case with such markets, which is why the entertainment betting strategy of many bettors is to put money on longshot bets.
Sure, I understand why Pietro Parolin is the Cardinal with the shortest odds, but I think the time has come for the Catholic world to get its first US-born Pope.
If you like these sorts of bets, we’re your guys! We regularly analyze quirky betting markets, with considerable success regarding our top picks. To stay in the loop, the best thing you can do is follow us on some of our social media accounts.
