The next pope is very 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.
The list comes at a time of increased health problems for Pope Benedict, who, at 85, has begun using a cane and is appearing more frail.
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.
In third place in the odds is Archbishop Angelo Scola of Venice at 7/1 while in fourth 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.
Against him is his age, he is almost 80 and may be too old when Benedict passes
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.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.esatdigiwank | Aug 31, 2012, 07:18 AM EDT
I would have thought that there will shortly be a U.S pope given that would also be a first. It seems obvious to me. Curitiba, there won't be many more papacies; medieval soothsayer Malachy predicts the next one to be the last. Amen to that.
Collette2 | Aug 29, 2012, 05:43 PM EDT
Lord help us if there is, with their cultural habits. There wont be any need to use the country as a dumping ground for errant clergy/bishops with over active sex drives.
Towngate | Aug 29, 2012, 03:03 PM EDT
Naaah! The next one will be from Dublin and so will probably not be white. - ... just a bit of cutting-edge social comment for ya there!
cillowen | Aug 29, 2012, 11:30 AM EDT
Chinese is the way to go - makes more sense.
KatieMurphy | Aug 28, 2012, 11:34 PM EDT
Thats all the world needs. Africa is full of islamic extremist influence the current pope grew up in Nazi germany and in 2009 UNexcommuncicated a holocaust denier The next pope will be sympathetic to the people who gave us 9-11. God save us from the church of the endless hidden molesters of children thanks to their sex starved priests, as the monster of Rome goes further into the devils lair.
misneac | Aug 28, 2012, 08:45 PM EDT
When you read the postings of Jim Treacy and Citizenwhy you despair at the ignorance and bigotry of these people .Their blatant stupidity and lack of knowledge is appalling,and one wonders if they ever went to any kind of school
Curitiba | Aug 28, 2012, 08:31 PM EDT
This will definitely happen. Not necessarily the next Pope, but certainly within the next few papacies.
jim treacy | Aug 28, 2012, 05:45 PM EDT
IRISHCANUCK WHAT DOES THE CHURCH NEED MOST AT THIS TIME IN HISTORY ???? MONEY MONEY MONEY THAT WON'T COME FROM AFRICA BUT FROM THE USA
CelticQueenUSA | Aug 28, 2012, 04:00 PM EDT
As long as he was born less than 70 or 80 years ago, he should be OK, I guess
Murph46 | Aug 28, 2012, 03:40 PM EDT
Barack O'Bama?
Nicomax | Aug 28, 2012, 03:20 PM EDT
The demographic trends are clearly heading in that direction. The modern age is still forming in those areas, while in Europe and North America the concepts linked with the Roman Catholic church don't resonate much anymore. Too limiting, non-inclusive, too protective of those who violate civil laws, etc. Time to move on.
CitizenWhy | Aug 28, 2012, 01:51 PM EDT
How come Joe Biden isn't on this fairy dust list?
wilhoef | Aug 28, 2012, 01:49 PM EDT
Not a chance!!!
pilib04 | Aug 28, 2012, 01:11 PM EDT
They say this all the time. I will believe it when I see it.
leahy15 | Aug 28, 2012, 12:18 PM EDT
it doesn t matter