Boston’s Cardinal Sean O’Malley has become a contender to fill the recently vacated position of Pope, at least according to Irish bookmakers Paddy Power.
The bets being placed on who the new Pope will be brought a surge of business to Paddy Power who believes the betting could set the record for a non-sporting event.
Rory Scott, spokesman for Paddy Power, said to the Christian Post ,"We'd be comfortable saying it's a million dollar market and certainly it's on track to be the biggest non-sporting event in Paddy Power's history.”
"I think pope betting has really captured people's imagination," he added.
With much speculation surrounding who the next Pope could be, bets are going strong. However, the speculation is due to increase further as the College of Cardinals imposed a formal media blackout on Wednesday, effectively barring any communication with the news media.
Currently, Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Turkson is continuing a steady hold on the lead with 11/4 (meaning that bettors would win 11 euros for every 4 staked) among the rest of the potential Popes.
However, Boston’s Cardinal Sean O’Malley has seen a late surge to the front of the pack. Though initially not thought to be a serious contender, Cardinal O’Malley rose to 25/1 for 12th place from way behind at his original odds of 125/1.
At press time Cardinal O’Malley had fallen to 33/1, which still ended up bumping him into a shared 9th place. Cardinal O’Malley is also currently tied with other American, Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, who both have odds of 33/1.
Of Cardinal O’Malley’s jump in the betting, Scott said, "That means one thing. We've seen more money for him – from starting life at 125/1 – that's a huge jump and the betting would now suggest he's a serious contender rather than an also ran.”
"We've seen a lot of small bets coming in for him [O'Malley]. Perhaps they [bettors] know something that we don't know,” added Scott.
Though he may be on the rise in betting pools, Boston’s own Cardinal Sean O’Malley doesn’t seem all too optimistic about the thought of becoming the next Pope. Vatican experts also see the Boston Cardinal as a longshot.
When asked by The Boston Globe about potentially changing his now famous ‘cappuccino robe,’ O’Malley said “I have worn this uniform for over 40 years, and I presume I will wear it until I die, because I don't expect to be elected pope.”
Stammering slightly, he added, "so – I don't – expect to have a change of wardrobe."
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.oonafitz | Mar 09, 2013, 08:08 PM EST
The Commentator-"serves on a number of committees, including one which has a part in determining the candidates for Pope" Are the cardinals only allowed to vote for certain people? I thought that it was more open than that. Re:O'Malley- I think he might make a good pope, but based on his own feelings, and, from what I hear, the horrible group of entrenched bureaucrats who would probably make his life miserable, I hope he comes back to Boston.
The Commentator | Mar 08, 2013, 08:44 PM EST
If he is elected Pope, he might just do that, but Law serves on a number of committees, including one which has a part in determining the candidates for Pope.
pilib04 | Mar 08, 2013, 06:51 PM EST
Only if O'Malley sends Law back to Boston to answer charges.
The Commentator | Mar 08, 2013, 06:36 PM EST
It is not likely he will be elected. The Cardinals are probably very afraid of the document that has been locked away for the new pope to take action on. Cardinal O'Malley put a zero tolerance policy in place in the Archdiocese of Boston in regard to pedophiles in the church and recently made public the names of pedophile priests. That probably put the fear of prison and publicity in the Vatican. They will probably elect someone in their midst who will bury the report on the homosexual activities of Vatican personnel. Another major issue is the illegal activities of the Vatican bank. These old boys are a branch of the Mafia. Illicit sex, pedophile activity, money laundering, and probably drugs and guns are all part of their repertoire.
seanomelb | Mar 08, 2013, 04:25 PM EST
Will O.Malley be just more of the same if elected??
Nicomax | Mar 08, 2013, 12:14 PM EST
If Cardinal Turkson gets the job, will there be endless filibusters in the Curia?
bostonrugby | Mar 08, 2013, 10:55 AM EST
Met the guy once, struck me as being a pure person of religion. If he gets the top job then I believe he would be a positive force on the planet and in the church.
Frosty38 | Mar 08, 2013, 09:41 AM EST
I would love it, but how about the folks in Boston? he is one of the better ones we have had.