Unexpected Appointment: Robert Prevost, an American, Unveiled as the New Pope
Posted on: May 8, 2025, 01:46h.Last updated on: May 8, 2025, 01:47h.
Bold Move as Prevost Takes Throne
Cardinal Robert Prevost Stuns the World
In a surprise upset, Cardinal Robert Prevost has been crowned the new Pope, making him the first American to ever hold the esteemed positions.
Parolin's Slide and Prevost's Rise
The cardinals, gathered for this momentous occasion, couldn't seem to make a decision during the morning session. Black smoke billowed from the chimney, signaling their ongoing debates. But as the afternoon ticked by, white smoke poured forth, heralding their decision.
The immediate favorite following the white smoke, according to betting markets, was Cardinal Pietro Parolin, known for his delicate balance between church progressives and conservatives. However, things took a hard right-hand turn just after 1 p.m. EST. News slowly leaked out, confirming that it was Prevost, not Parolin, who had been chosen as the new Pope.
From a 1% chance to the reigning pope, Kalshi's pre-conclave odds for Prevost were long, to say the least. And according to John Ewing from BetMGM, one of Ontario's regulated sportsbooks offering Pope election markets, Prevost sat at an impressive +5000, with a mere 1% of the betting handle on him.
While Parolin had the most bets (19%), it was Luis Antonio Tagle who creamed the competition, securing 58% of the money. But Prevost's name seemed to be forgotten in this betting frenzy.
A Fresh Vision for the Church
Prevost, age 69, hailing from Chicago, will now be known as Pope Leo XIV. With a history rooted in missionary work in South America and serving as Bishop in Peru, he's brought a fresh perspective to the cardinals.
Reports indicate that Prevost leans more towards progressive ideologies, inspired by Pope Francis' reforms. As the Church enters a new era, Prevost's progressive leanings may provide the pathway towards continued change and growth.
In the evening of May 8, 2025, Cardinal Robert Prevost, an underdog with long odds of +5000 in sports-betting markets, stunned the world by winning the papal election, making him the first American Pope and the champion of NFL's ‘long shot’ category in American football. His election, against popular expectations favoring Cardinal Pietro Parolin, marked a significant shift in the Church, aligning with the progressive ideologies inspired by Pope Francis' reforms.
