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The Independent
08-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Gamblers bet millions on who will be the next Pope
While cardinals take part in the solemn conclave to elect the next pope, a less traditional activity is gaining momentum: betting on who will lead the world's 1.4 billion Catholics. From online platforms to friendly wagers, guessing the next pontiff has become a global pastime, surpassing even major sporting events in popularity. The intrigue surrounding the papal election has fuelled a surge in betting activity, according to experts and participants. Sam Eaton, UK manager for Oddschecker, a platform analysing odds across various markets, noted the unprecedented global interest. "There's a huge level of interest globally," he said. "I don't think we've had a market like this where we've had so many countries interested in seeing odds." The papal election's betting popularity has even eclipsed the Europa League and Formula One races, according to Oddschecker data. Around the world, thousands of bets on the next pope Hundreds of thousands of people from some 140 countries have visited Oddschecker to review each cardinal's chances of becoming the next pope, Mr Eaton said. He noted special eagerness in the United Kingdom, Ireland and the United States. In the UK, about £30,000 (almost US$40,000) had been wagered with one leading online betting platform as of last week, Mr Eaton said – a far cry from £1.2 million on the singing contest Eurovision but still noteworthy as a trend, with the conclave days away. 'Betting on the next pope is definitely a niche market in the grand scheme of things, but it generates global interest,' said Lee Phelps, a spokesman for William Hill, one of the UK's biggest bookmakers. 'Since April 21, we've taken thousands of bets, and it's the busiest of all our non-sports betting markets,' said Mr Phelps, who expected a surge in interest once the conclave began on Wednesday. Betting on elections, papal conclaves and all manner of global events is almost a tradition of its own in the UK, but such betting is not legal in the United States. BetMGM, one of the world's top sports-betting companies, said it would not have any bets up. But Mr Eaton noted that in the unregulated, illegal space, one of the biggest sites had US$10 million wagered so far in pope bets. Fantasy 'teams' of cardinals In Italy, betting on the papal election – and all religious events – is forbidden. Some people in Rome are making friendly, informal wagers – the equivalent of $20 on a favorite cardinal, with the loser pledging to host a dinner or buy a pizza night out. Others are turning to an online game called Fantapapa, or Fantasy Pope, which mimics popular fantasy football and soccer leagues. More than 60,000 people are playing, each choosing 11 cardinals – as if for a soccer team – whom they believe have the best shot at becoming the next pope. They also draft the top contender, or captain. As with online wagers, the No. 1 choice for fantasy players has been Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, closely followed by Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle. 'It's a really fun game to play with friends and have a laugh,' Italian student Federico La Rocca, 23, said. 'Initially my dad sent it to me ironically, but now that it's going to be the conclave, I decided to have a go and try it.' Mr La Rocca said he chose Cardinal Tagle because 'he looks like a nice guy and fun person'. Players' selections determine the number of points they rake in. But what's the jackpot? 'Eternal glory,' joked Mauro Vanetti, who created the game when Francis was hospitalised earlier this year. Mr Vanetti said he and his co-founder are against gambling, but they wanted to create something fun around the event. 'It seems like in Italy there's a certain inquisitiveness about the mechanisms of the Catholic hierarchy, but it's a critical curiosity, a sarcastic and playful curiosity, so we were interested in this jesting spirit for such a solemn event,' Mr Vanetti said. 'In some ways it deflates the sacredness, in a nonaggressive way.' Some concerns about betting on a solemn event Beyond simply picking who the next pope will be, players and gamblers also can guess how many tries it will take the cardinals to choose the leader, which day of the week he'll be elected, what new name he will decide on, or where his priorities will land on the progressive-conservative scale. While the game and some of the bets have a novel or fun nature, anti-gambling advocates have raised overall concerns about legal gaming and the growing popularity of wagering on all manner of events. A study published last fall found that 10 per cent of young men in the US show behaviour that indicates a gambling problem, which is a rising concern in other parts of the world, too. And for gambling around the papacy in general, some have raised religious concerns. Catholic teaching doesn't go so far as to call games of chance or wagers sinful, but its Catechism warns that 'the passion for gambling risks becoming an enslavement'. It says gambling becomes 'morally unacceptable' if it gravely affects a person's livelihood.
Sky News
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
Conclave to choose pope begins as cardinals take secrecy oath and shut Sistine Chapel doors
The conclave to choose the new pope has begun after cardinals swore an oath of secrecy and the doors of the Sistine Chapel were shut to the outside world. All eyes will now be looking for the white smoke that signals they have reached a decision on who will lead the world's 1.4 billion Catholics. A two-thirds majority is needed and the 133 cardinals from around the world will hold daily votes until the threshold is met. 0:27 It's thought a decision on Wednesday is unlikely, meaning black smoke will emerge from the chimney of the Vatican's Sistine Chapel. A single vote will take place today, but from Thursday there will be two in the morning and two in the afternoon. The cardinals have given up their phones and are cut off from the outside world until a new pope is chosen. 1:01 The voting takes places beneath Michelangelo's legendary frescoes and the chapel - normally a packed tourist site - has installed tight security. It's been swept for listening devices, signal jammers have been installed, and its windows have been covered to protect from spy drones. Lead seals have also been put on 80 doors at the conclave site to stop people going in and out. The cardinals will sleep and eat at the Casa Santa Marta, a guest house within the Vatican where Pope Francis lived, until the process is over. They cardinals began Wednesday by taking mass, before a solemn two-by-two procession into the Sistine Chapel in the afternoon. Dresses in their red garb, they chanted the Litany of the Saints and Veni Creator - a hymn imploring the saints to help them find a new leader. They then each came forward to take an oath of secrecy, placing a hand on the gospel and also promising not to allow any outside influence. The final piece of theatre was the Latin declaration "Extra omnes" ("everyone else out") and Archbishop Diego Ravelli, an aide to the late pope, pushed the the doors shut. 1:02 Conclave is beginning 16 days after Pope Francis's death, which came after a long hospital stay with pneumonia. Many experts believe it will come down to a choice between someone who will continue his progressive approach and a more conservative candidate. Among the favourites is Luis Tagle, a cardinal who could become the first Asian pontiff, and who's been likened to Pope Francis. Two Italians are also seen as strong contenders: The Archbishop of Bologna, Matteo Zuppi, and the so-called "deputy pope" Pietro Parolin. The pope's identity is normally revealed soon after the white smoke emerges, when he steps onto the balcony to wave to the crowds in St Peter's Square. The most recent conclaves - for Pope Francis in 2013, Pope Benedict XVI in 2005 and Pope John Paul II in 1978 - all lasted less than three days.
BBC News
07-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Who are the cardinals choosing the next Pope?
In secrecy and prayer, a select group of cardinals will decide who will be the next religious leader of over a billion Catholics worldwide. What do we know about these men, most of whom are electing a pope for the first time?
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Papal conclave begins – what is it and how long might it take?
Papal conclave begins – what is it and how long might it take? The secret meeting to elect the leader of the world's Catholics is set to begin, bringing with it the intrigue of an ancient system of anonymous voting in Vatican City. Here, the PA news agency takes a look at what happens now. – What is a conclave? Cardinals will cast their votes in the Sistine Chapel (Alessandra Tarantino/AP) It refers to the secret meeting of cardinals who will gather in the Sistine Chapel to vote for the next pope. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, it comes from the Latin meaning a room that can be locked with a key. Vatican News – the news website connected to the Church in Rome – said 133 cardinals will take part in this conclave, which will begin on May 7. ADVERTISEMENT The day will begin with mass attended by all voting cardinals in St Peter's Basilica, before they enter the Sistine Chapel – and are cut off from communication with the outside world – to begin voting in the afternoon. – How long might it take? Cardinals at the beginning of the 2005 conclave (Osservatore Romano/AP) That is anybody's guess. Each day, aside from the first, cardinals can vote four times – twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon. Both of the most recent conclaves, in 2005 to elect Pope Benedict and 2013 to elect Pope Francis lasted just two days. This conclave could have begun on May 5, but the delayed starting date of May 7 might allow the cardinals to get to know one another better and find consensus on a candidate or at least the frontrunners. – Who is the next pope likely to be? Cardinals have gathered for the conclave to elect the next pope (Alessandra Tarantino/AP) Technically, any baptised Catholic man could become the next pontiff, but it is highly unlikely the chosen one would be anyone other than a cardinal. ADVERTISEMENT Only cardinals who were aged under 80 on the day of the pope's death are eligible to vote but older cardinals not sitting in conclave could be elected. While there has been much speculation as to the frontrunners, one expert described this conclave as 'totally unpredictable'. UK theologian Professor Anna Rowlands said this is because the make-up of this College of Cardinals is 'very different from anyone that's been here to elect a pope before', with higher than usual numbers of electors from Africa and Asia, chosen by Pope Francis. Catholic commentator Georgia Clarke said there is 'a tension between wanting a scholar and wanting a pastor'. She told PA: 'We saw with Pope Benedict we very much had a scholar, and then in Pope Francis we very much had a pastor. Obviously it would be great if we could have both.' ADVERTISEMENT – There must be some favourites though? Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle is among the names being mentioned as a future pope (Alessandra Tarantino/AP) As the meeting is secret, it really is just speculation. But among the names being mentioned upon as possible successors are Cardinal Luis Tagle, a 67-year-old from the Philippines who was said to be Francis's pick for the first Asian pope. Others include Cardinal Peter Erdo, 72, the Archbishop of Budapest; Cardinal Reinhard Marx, 71, the Archbishop of Munich and Freising; and Cardinal Pietro Parolin, 70, an Italian who has served as Pope Francis's secretary of state since 2014. – What about the UK and Ireland's cardinals? Leader of Catholics in England and Wales, Cardinal Vincent Nichols (James Manning/PA) It is not thought that any of the UK or Irish cardinals are among the favourites to succeed Pope Francis. Cardinal Sean Brady, Ireland's only Catholic cardinal, will turn 86 this summer and so is also unable to vote because of his age, as is Cardinal Michael Fitzgerald, from Birmingham, who will turn 88 in August. ADVERTISEMENT Archbishop of Westminster Cardinal Vincent Nichols, from Liverpool, and the leader of Catholics in England and Wales, is taking part in conclave, as is Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe, who is from London. Aged 75, Cardinal Arthur Roche, from West Yorkshire and based in Rome, is the youngest of the UK and Ireland's cardinals. Both Cardinal Radcliffe and Cardinal Nichols appeared to rule themselves out of the running, soon after Francis's death was announced. Cardinal Nichols told reporters he was 'too old, not capable', while Cardinal Radcliffe said he believed the Holy Spirit was 'far too wise to even think of me (as pope) for the shortest moment'. Scotland currently has no Catholic cardinals. There is also Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who is Irish-born but is seen as an American cardinal having ministered mainly in the US. He has been based in Rome for some years. Cardinal Farrell was the one to announce the death of Pope Francis and, as camerlengo, has been the senior official ensuring the smooth running of the church until a new pontiff is chosen, including organising the meetings of cardinals preceding the conclave. – How will we know when a new pope has been elected? White smoke will emerge from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel when a pope has been elected (Gregorio Borgia/AP) All eyes will be on the colour of the smoke emerging from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. The ballots are burned after voting – with black smoke being emitted to indicate no-one has been elected while white confirms a new pontiff. A two-thirds majority is required for a new pope to be elected. Catherine Wallis-Hughes, from the Catholic Voices charity mainly involving lay people in the Church, described it as 'really beautiful' that everyone will find out at the same time – 'the world's media and someone watching on their mobile phone in Guinea-Bissau, everyone who has access to the internet all together can see that white smoke'. Once a new pope accepts his election, it is usual that he would appear fairly quickly thereafter on the front balcony of St Peter's Basilica which overlooks St Peter's Square. An announcement in Latin of 'Habemus Papam' – meaning 'we have a pope' is made alongside the new pontiff's appearance.
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Beginning of Lent boosts local seafood sales
WILBRAHAM, Mass. (WWLP) – Friday is the first Friday in the Catholic holy season of Lent which also means a boost in seafood sales for local establishments. Every year at this time, the demand for fish goes through the roof for businesses like the Big Y in Wilbraham. It is one of the most important times of the year for Catholics–Lent season. From now through Easter Sunday, many catholics give up eating meat on Fridays. For many Catholics, refraining from meat is a form of sacrifice and penance, acknowledging Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross. Stanley Kowalski of Wilbraham told 22News, 'Growing up we always did it as kids as well. My, my mom and dad always had fish at home and it was a special day for that.' As a result, many people buy fish or go to seafood restaurants on Fridays during Lent. For Big Y in Wilbraham, they started to see a rush of customers at their counters. 'I mean this is the day to get fish and they have a great sale going on,' he adds. 'I'm going to get some salmon here. $8.99.' The store is offering several seafood options like salmon, shrimp, and oysters, but their most popular seller is haddock and cod.' Store Director Derek Kaczowka told 22News, 'We are very busy right now. And we were going to have fried fish and chip dinners for our customers. We make to order. And you could pick that up.' They expected to fulfill nearly 90 orders by the end of Friday. 'We have plenty of fish, plenty of condiments, boxes, plenty of staff, and we're just ready to go,' he adds. The store typically sees 6 fresh deliveries a week from the North Coast, so they are ready for the high demand expected to come for the next few weeks of Lent season. Lent lasts 40 days and the observance of Lent dates back to the 4th century. Many have given up something, whether it's chocolate or TV or video games or other activities. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
