Betting on the Next Pope

With Pope Francis still in the hospital with double pneumonia, it seems the Vatican is already preparing for the worst. The 88-year-old has had a history of health struggles, including past bouts with bronchitis and surgery, and it could come down to the current Bishop of Rome stepping down in order to preserve his own life. With speculation intensifying over who might step in as the next Pope, let’s take a look at a few wager options.

Continent of Next Pope
Africa -200
There have been three Bishops of Rome from the continent of Africa in history, but that history is definitely not recent. The last Pope to come out of Africa was Pope Gelasius I, who died in November of 496.

Europe +200
When the Vatican is already located in Europe itself, it’s tough to not see the home field advantage and like the +200 on Europe. It also coincides with the fact that the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin, is from Italy and is a strong contender to take over the Chair of Saint Peter.

Asia +500
With the odds-on favorite coming out of Asia in Luis Antonio Tagle and Catholicism growing rapidly in Asia, this is an interesting pick as well.

Africa -200
Europe +200
North America +500
Asia +500
South America +800

Next Pope
Luis Antonio Tagle +300
At 67 years old, Luis Antonio Tagle’s vision matches closely with his potential predecessor for a more inclusive Church. Coined the “Asian Pope Francis,” Tagle advocates for a softer approach toward marginalized groups, having held a critical stance on how the church has handled the treatment of the LGBT community and divorced Catholics.

Pietro Parolin +400
Since 2013, Pietro Parolin has held the title of the Vatican’s Secretary of State and is seen as a strong contender at 70 years old. He’s a safe choice for continuity within the Vatican after having been a part of diplomatic efforts of the Holy See. He is seen as an extension of the legacy of Pope Francis.

Marc Ouellet +450
There has never been a Canadian Pope, let alone a Bishop of Rome from North America. Marc Ouellet could be the exception. He can break the streak. Yes, it’s unlikely, but no one thought there would be a Pope from Argentina, and Pope Francis proved everyone wrong with his selection in 2013. Anything can happen.

Luis Antonio Tagle +300
Pietro Parolin +400
Marc Ouellet +450
Fridolin Ambongo Besungu +480
Francis Arinze +550
Peter Turkson +600
Wim Eijk +600
Peter Erdo +750
Angelo Scola +800
Pierbattista Pizzaballa +800
Kevin Farrell +800
Wilton Daniel Gregory +800
Christoph Schönborn +1000
Raymond Leo Burke +1000
Angelo De Donatis +1000
Robert Sarah +1000
Konrad Krajewski +1000
Sean Patrick O’Malley +1800
Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga +2000
Timothy Dolan +2000
Malcolm Ranjith +2000
Antonio Canizares Llovera +2200
Blase Joseph Cupich +2200
Lauro Tisi +2200
Bechara Peter Rai +2200
Odilo Pedro Scherer +2500
Gianfranco Ravasi +2500
Mauro Piacenza +2500
Wilfrid Napier +2500
Matteo Zuppi +2800
Joao Braz de Aviz +2800
Dominik Duka +2800
Gerhard Ludwig Müller +2800
Albert Malcolm Ranjith +2800
Guido Marini +2800
Arthur Roche +2800
Giorgio Marengo +3300
Mario Grech +3300
Angelo Bagnasco +4000
Carlos Aguiar Retes +4000
Fernando Filoni +4000
Charles Maung Bo +4000
Vincent Nichols +4000
Leonardo Sandri +4000
Agostino Vallini +4000
Vinko Puljic +4000
Robert McElroy +4000
Leonardo Steiner +4000
Anders Arborelius +5000
Francisco Robles Ortega +5000
Reinhard Marx +5000
Thomas Collins +5000
William Goh +5000