Could New York Cardinal Timothy Patrick Dolan be the next pope? He is definitely a legitimate contender, the first American one ever, according to Vatican insiders.
The odds may not be great (he’s 25/1 with Paddy Power) but he is known to be deeply popular in Vatican circles and could well be a surprise choice in a conclave where there is no obvious front runner.
Dolan would be a remarkable choice. He is very popular in New York (where, like the next pope, his predecessor is still living) and he has the worldwide reach that might make him a very popular candidate.
The oddsmakers still believe that the next pope is more likely to be African according to Paddy Power, Ireland’s leading bookmaker, who has come out with a list of “papabile,” those considered papal material.
Favorite is Cardinal Francis Arinze of Nigeria, who is 15/8 (bet eight to win fifteen), while in second place is Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana at 9/4.
That’s two top Africans in the top two spots according to the bookmaker’s odds.
Read more: Shock as Pope Benedict XVI announces intention to resign at the end of February
In third place in the odds is Archbishop Angelo Scola of Venice at 7/1 while in fourth place is Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiago of Honduras at 10/1 while Cardinal Albert Malcolm Ranjith at 33/1 rounds out the top five.
Rinze was considered papabile in 2005 when Benedict was elected, and he now has Benedict’s old job within the Vatican, but his age is against him at 80 years old.
Cardinal Turkson is only 64, born to a Methodist mother and Catholic father, and has said that "if God would wish to see a black man also as pope, thanks be to God.” The Catholic Church chronicler Rocco Palmo called Turkson the lone Scripture scholar in the Pope's "Senate" and believes that his status as a potential "papabile" has been elevated due to his appointment as spokesman for Second Synod for Africa in 2009.
Three recent popes have come from the Venice archdiocese which makes Cardinal Scola an automatic favorite as the top Italian. Church experts say the best outsider is Cardinal Marc Ouellet from Canada who handled the recent Eucharistic Conference in Dublin.
Read more: The Catholic Church's new Pope will be African according to odds from Irish bookmaker
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.Maureen Hawkins | Feb 23, 2013, 08:33 PM EST
Well, it would continue the current policy of pedophile protection.
seanomelb | Feb 12, 2013, 08:02 PM EST
Dolan!! Another lurch to the right for the PPX mob.
McNamara31 | Feb 12, 2013, 09:40 AM EST
KweenOHearts stated "a** from a hole in the ground". You are ever so eloquent, at ignorance. And by the way, you just have to hit the key labelled "Enter" once, and amazingly it will work.
merefalow | Feb 12, 2013, 07:44 AM EST
would it be to much to hope that the next CEO OF THIS BRILLIANT MONEY MAKING ENTERPRISE DO WHAT NO OTHER CEO has done for 2,000 years and issue a papal bull excomunicating and making plain to the gullible faithful that there is positively no place in the church for abuse and paedophiles.
merefalow | Feb 12, 2013, 07:44 AM EST
would it be to much to hope that the next CEO OF THIS BRILLIANT MONEY MAKING ENTERPRISE DO WHAT NO OTHER CEO has done for 2,000 years and issue a papal bull excomunicating and making plain to the gullible faithful that there is positively no place in the church for abuse and paedophiles.
RobinForester | Feb 12, 2013, 05:17 AM EST
An excellent choice would be Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino, who once served in Burma as a young Vatican diplomat who said: ''There is much work still to do to curb human rights and to prevent child labour, the use of rape as a weapon of war, human trafficking, repression of religion and a lack of freedom of speech to name a few road ahead tasks''. What needs to be done you might ask – here’s four London examples indicating Christianity is at war in the workplace with the Courts as can be seen in the recent rulings of the European Court of Human Rights; Recent cases and rulings include Nadia Eweida and Shirley Chaplin which concerned the freedom to wear a crucifix in the workplace. Mrs Ladele, a civil registrar who refused to marry two homosexuals and Islington Council dismissed her. A Mr McFarlane had expressed his doubt at work about his ability to provide marriage guidance counselling for same-sex couples specially men, and his employers dismissed him for gross misconduct. Paddy Powers should go 3 to 1 Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino, 9 to 1 Doaln, 15-1 the field.
cillowen | Feb 11, 2013, 11:54 PM EST
only, if he passes thru israel as he did when picking up his red cap in Rome. Either way the new Latin pope will have to revise history to fit as Benedict and john 23rd - two that come to mind have done.
mairint | Feb 11, 2013, 09:21 PM EST
Cardinal Dolan???After allowing Obama to make a fool of him? You must be joking. If you want to put up an American Cardinal try Cardinal Burke. How about from Asia. A superb candidate would be Cdl. Albert Malcolm Ranjith of Colombo. He has been a diplomat, is a member of several of the Congregations of the Church and speaks 10 languages. He also could be the conduit by which the Lefebvrists could return to Rome and the current flow of Anglicans (back to Rome) would continue. There are some fine men who could amply fill the shoes of the fisherman in all aspects. Cardinal Ouellette is also on the list. No matter our wishes, God is in control. God Bless our dear Pope Benedict and may the Pontiffs desire for peaceful solitude be granted to him.
mreinhar2001 | Feb 11, 2013, 06:25 PM EST
Please for give my poor typing. That should say "succeed" not "sucees" and "Pope's," not "Pop's."
mreinhar2001 | Feb 11, 2013, 06:22 PM EST
paulpaulpaul: My brother and I were discussing rules to sucees to the Papacy yesterday, long before the Pop's announcement. The only rule is one cannot be a woman, one needs to be willing to be celibate, and one must be a Roman Catholic. So if a married man is chosen, the wife would have to agree to enter a convent (I have no idea what hppens if there are children in the picture). If one is a non-Catholic, one has to agree to be baptized. So, you are a candidate, sir; however, as my brother commented, the Cardinals who do the electing have tended to do so from within their own ranks for the past few centuries. So, I am sorry old boy, though you are a candidate, I fear that your chances may be a bit slim at this time. Keep your chin up, though.
paulpaulpaul | Feb 11, 2013, 05:55 PM EST
On the advice of my many Vatican City benefactors, and on their recognition of my abilities, I humbly will be candidate for the papacy.Among my strong beliefs;-We should no longer engage with Europe as Supplicants , we need to show sharp elbows in our dealings with Europe-Send a message to Paris and Berlin . Lets consider looking at Corporation Tax - but to decrease it as they are doing in Ireland-Bailout is unfair, it is crippling the Irish faithful-We need to look outward for jobs-I`m aware of and will respect constitutional boundaries of Papacy.
jfoynyc | Feb 11, 2013, 05:14 PM EST
Am I exaggerating the Pontiff's shrewdness, cunning when thinking that he wants the Conclave, many of whom he has chosen, to vote for another ultra conservative, people-be-damned successor while knowing that he is watching closely? The position has incredible opportunity and it is reasonable to expect the unthinkable in the next few decades. Let's hope that a man emerges who will give real hope and assistance to those who have been abandoned by society, forgotten by most religions. Oremus.
Eschetic | Feb 11, 2013, 03:40 PM EST
Responding only to the article: "God forbid." The current Pontiff has been working very hard to remake the CC in such a way that it will preserve his image of what the Church should be. The best we can pray for - and we should - is someone with a low enough profile that they are not on record for the same drift to denial and the right. A loving pastoral, effective administrator Pope who can lead the church back to the reforms of Vatican II may be too much to hope for, but one which will make that possible for a future Pope is essential for the Church to prosper in its core mission in the coming century.
KweenOHearts | Feb 11, 2013, 03:17 PM EST
Looks like the IC 'conclave' is in full operating mode!! Aren't we lucky to have 'cardinals' like redhand32, Swineford, McNamara31, Joan1954, Nicomax, Collette2, etc ad infinitum --people who are SURE they clearly know the mind of GOD and what is best for His people!-- deciding who exactly is best to lead 1.2Billion faithful... when by all evidence it's clear as far as the CC is concerned, not a single one of them knows their a** from a hole in the ground... much less what would be good for a Church they hate. -- One would think they not only think the Holy Spirit has their hand in a firm grasp... but that they are the HS themselves!
KweenOHearts | Feb 11, 2013, 03:16 PM EST
Looks like the IC 'conclave' is in full operating mode!! Aren't we lucky to have 'cardinals' like redhand32, Swineford, McNamara31, Joan1954, Nicomax, Collette2, etc ad infinitum --people who are SURE they clearly know the mind of GOD and what is best for His people!-- deciding who exactly is best to lead 1.2Billion faithful... when by all evidence it's clear as far as the CC is concerned, not a single one of them knows their a** from a hole in the ground... much less what would be good for a Church they hate. -- One would think they not only think the Holy Spirit has their hand in a firm grasp... but that they are the HS themselves!
KweenOHearts | Feb 11, 2013, 03:16 PM EST
Looks like the IC 'conclave' is in full operating mode!! Aren't we lucky to have 'cardinals' like redhand32, Swineford, McNamara31, Joan1954, Nicomax, Collette2, etc ad infinitum --people who are SURE they clearly know the mind of GOD and what is best for His people!-- deciding who exactly is best to lead 1.2Billion faithful... when by all evidence it's clear as far as the CC is concerned, not a single one of them knows their a** from a hole in the ground... much less what would be good for a Church they hate. -- One would think they not only think the Holy Spirit has their hand in a firm grasp... but that they are the HS themselves!
anglo-norman | Feb 11, 2013, 03:13 PM EST
Why not change the title of this site IrishCentral to IrishCatholic...at least be honest.
Ms.Gail | Feb 11, 2013, 02:09 PM EST
Cardinal Marc Ouellet from Canada
CitizenWhy | Feb 11, 2013, 12:47 PM EST
Ludicrous thought. This blunderbuss would be totally lost without the fawning American media.
McNamara31 | Feb 11, 2013, 12:25 PM EST
The Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin who broke ranks, releasing abuse documents and speaking truth to the power of the Vatican saying of abuse: "it's a total abuse of power". I think this man who showed total spiritual integrity is what the church needs at the helm.
2Donegal | Feb 11, 2013, 12:22 PM EST
Who could best bring our fractured Church together, our fractured world together - a black Pope - maybe! Our black president: who would have thunk it? We must move on in Faith!
pilib04 | Feb 11, 2013, 12:18 PM EST
i won't even address the idiocy of a dolan papacy. more importantly, the issue of a 3rd world pope takes precedence over an american pope with baggage.
Nicomax | Feb 11, 2013, 12:16 PM EST
As in any business, follow the growth patterns. And for the Vatican that means Africa, or South America. The church is fading in Europe, stagnant in the US due to scandals and remaining Catholics in these areas are much to the left of the thinking in Rome.
joan1954 | Feb 11, 2013, 12:06 PM EST
Dolan? Not going to happen as he is from a superpower. I think it will be either Oulert of Canada or Turkson of Ghana.
handsome68 | Feb 11, 2013, 11:58 AM EST
"Very popular in New York", the article states. I'm a practicing Catholic, -- Mass every Sunday, and do my level best to keep the Ten Commandments, for example. I find Cardinal Dolan boring, but, more to the point, mostly ineffective in addressing any spiritual needs or concerns that I might have.
mreinhar2001 | Feb 11, 2013, 11:35 AM EST
The French Canadian, Cardinal Marc Ouellet, is an interesting thought as one who might be pope. Does anybody here have experience with him? Not the regular Catholic and hierarchy haters, but anybody else?
2Donegal | Feb 11, 2013, 11:12 AM EST
American 'insider' - William Cardinal Levada - has a better chance than Cardinal Dolan.
2Donegal | Feb 11, 2013, 11:00 AM EST
Cardinal Timothy Dolan Pedophile Protector might well be the next Pope, he may have an "in" with the former alter boys. He probably would refuse the job anyway; not many children in the Vatican and private audiences with children are few and far between. Why don't the Roman Catholic parishioners have a say in who gets to be pope. The cardinals who do vote aren't elected, they are chosen by the Vatican. It is a self serving system where committing crimes for the church hierarchy is rewarded and the parishioners are victimized. Didn't Nazi Germany target homosexuals, Jews etc. The Roman Catholic Church hierarchy operates on the premise of do as I say, not do as I do and presents a picture of sanctity to the parishioners and non Catholics, but the corruption, money laundering and rape of children is pretended not to exist and is minimized when it is exposed. Get rid of Dolan and his bum brothers who have brought shame to the church.
Collette2 | Feb 11, 2013, 10:56 AM EST
Lot's of specualtion. Who ever it is, the system will remain the same and nothing to do with the Holy Spirit.
TomSwinford | Feb 11, 2013, 10:55 AM EST
Regardless of who the successor is the direction of the Roman Catholic Church is firmly set and it's firmly regressive. Indeed, it has much in common with our Republican Party - GOP = POG = Party of God. Both believe that their principles,values and doctrines are sound, having come from God on high - it's just the messaging they need to fix. They're both wrong, utterly out of touch with the realities of the modern world. The GOP has become a regional party, the South and rural America. The Catholic Church has lost much of Europe and even the so-called "faithful," i.e. Mass-going, in North America are a la carte Catholics, selectively choosing what to accept and what to ignore. The Church, too, is becoming a regional party, Africa and South America. But like the GOP, unless it addresses core issues of doctrines and policies it is ultimately doomed.
LiamScanlan | Feb 11, 2013, 10:48 AM EST
Why doesn't the Pope just pray away the illness? Like how the Church expects women in developing countries to pray for God's help instead of controlling how many kids they have.
EamonnDublin | Feb 11, 2013, 10:42 AM EST
Good man yerself, "redhand32". I trust that air-filled space in your head feels a lot less pressure after that release. Next time you feel the urge to spew hate, eat a can of beans. Éamonn, Dublin.
MichaelMcGrath | Feb 11, 2013, 10:41 AM EST
I don't think it matters who will be Pope, I think whoever will be given lip service but not respected
Patrickjx | Feb 11, 2013, 10:37 AM EST
What the church does NOT need at this time is an arrogant know it all like Dolan. He would drive even more Catholics out of the Church!!!
redhand32 | Feb 11, 2013, 10:19 AM EST
We want Baltimore Ravens QB Joe Flacco ! But, seriously folks. I wish Herr Ratzinger all the best in his so deserved retirement. Perhaps he could spend his time chasing the Hitler Youth around the bed along with his fellow enablers. I say good riddance. If Dolan or any of his Blue Shirt ilk go up in white smoke, I'm sure we'll look back at the reign of Herr Ratzinger as the good old days ! Today's RC hierarchy makes Franco's Church underwriters look like Socialists. If I had my wish the entire right wing cadre of pedo-enabling goose-steppers ought march into the Tiber to their "heavenly" reward. Perhaps those ole Ratzo censored, especially the nuns can come back into the sunlight where they belong. back in the day didn't they ride the corpse of corrupt ole Pope Alexander VI around town backwards on an ass ? That works !
jamieLM | Feb 11, 2013, 10:14 AM EST
Nope, not gonna happen.
Jacob | Feb 11, 2013, 09:56 AM EST
www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/celebrity/pope-headhunted-by-satan-2013021159277
ellenfromcork | Feb 11, 2013, 09:52 AM EST
oh yeah, he'll be Pope, right after he gets married.
McNamara31 | Feb 11, 2013, 09:37 AM EST
Never....He's part of the problem; not the solution. Corporate minded, spiritually deficient.
skipshea | Feb 11, 2013, 08:59 AM EST
Pefrect. While he was archbishop of Milwaukee he paid pedophiles $20,000 to quietly go away. That's just perfect.
bunkerisland | Feb 11, 2013, 08:59 AM EST
My vote is for Mary Robinson but odds are against it!