Impressive wagers totaling over R$ 30 million placed on selection of the upcoming pontiff
In the wake of Pope Francis' passing on April 21, 2025, the Vatican plunges into the "sede vacante," preparing to welcome the Conclave – a traditional gathering where cardinals decide the next spiritual leader of over 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide. initially anticipated to begin between May 6-11, 2025, this religious event has sparked a flurry of excitement among bettors flocking to online platforms like Polymarket, placing over $6 million on their predictions.
The Conclave: Tradition Meets Modernity
The Conclave, a centuries-old ritual, sees cardinals from the Catholic Church meet in the hallowed halls of the Sistine Chapel, Vatican City, within 15 to 20 days of their predecessor's demise. With all eligible cardinals under the age of 80 – currently there are 135, of whom 120 will participate – aiming to secure two-thirds of the votes to be elected pope, the process is both steeped in tradition and tantalizing intrigue.
Top Candidates and Controversies
The election of a new pontiff has long fascinated bettors worldwide. Among the leading contenders for the coveted position are:
- Pietro Parolin: An Italian cardinal, 70, and the current Vatican Secretary of State, Parolin is the favorite due to his diplomatic experience and alignment with Pope Francis' reformist policies.
- Luis Antonio Tagle: A Filipino cardinal and former archbishop of Manila, Tagle, 67, is beloved for his humility and dedication to defending the marginalized, making him a fitting candidate to continue Pope Francis' legacy.
- Matteo Zuppi: An Italian cardinal, 69, archbishop of Bologna and president of the Italian Episcopal Conference, Zuppi has stood out for his role in peace missions and is considered a moderate progressive.
- Peter Turkson: A 76-year-old Ghanaian cardinal, known for his work on social and economic issues, Turkson's election would mark a historic milestone as the first modern African pope.
- Peter Erdo: A 72-year-old Hungarian cardinal, archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, Erdo is seen as a conservative, and his election could signify a shift towards more traditional values in the Church.
Other potential candidates include Angelo Scola and Marc Ouellet, who, despite being over 80 and thus ineligible to vote, remain possibilities for the position.
As betting on religious events stirs ethical debates and raises concerns, the world awaits the announcement of "Habemus Papam" and the emergence of the new spiritual leader of the Catholic Church.
- In the forthcoming Conclave, bettors continue to place their online sports-betting wagers on the next Pope, with the candidate Pietro Parolin being the favored choice due to his diplomatic experience and alignment with Pope Francis.
- The 2025 Conclave, taking place in the Vatican, has added complexity with the presence of online sports-betting platforms like Polymarket, where over $6 million have been bet on predictions about the election's outcome.
- Controversies surrounding the 2025 Conclave, traditionally a somber event, are growing as bettors flock to online sports-betting platforms to wager on the election of the new Pope, causing debate over the ethical implications of betting on religious events.
- In the wake of Pope Francis' passing in 2025, top candidates for the next Pope such as Pietro Parolin, Luis Antonio Tagle, Matteo Zuppi, Peter Turkson, and Peter Erdo face scrutiny as bettors place their sports-betting wagers on online platforms while the Catholic Church prepares for a Conclave in the Vatican.
