Who Picks the Pope? Inside the Vatican Conclave and Papal Betting Traditions

The Conclave Process

• 🔒 The conclave proceedings are top secret, with divulging details being grounds for excommunication.
• 🚫 Women are excluded from the selection process and have no voting power or influence.
• 👴 Cardinals over 80 are not allowed to vote, and two eligible cardinals will be absent due to illness.
• 🗳️ A total of 133 cardinals, with an average age of 70, will be present to vote in the Sistine Chapel.

Cardinal Demographics and Contenders

• 🌍 The conclave has become more international, with cardinals representing around 70 nations, a shift from previous conclaves.
• 🇮🇹 While Italy still has the most cardinals (17), they do not all agree on key issues.
• 💡 Matteo Zupi (Italian, peace talks participant) and Pierre Battista Pizzaballa (Patriarch of Jerusalem, strong frontrunner among bookies) are key Italian contenders.
• 🇻🇦 Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's Secretary of State, is also mentioned as a potential candidate.
• 🇵🇭 Luis Antonio Tagle from the Philippines, known as the "Asian Francis," is a contender, noted for his social issue commitment but opposition to abortion and euthanasia.
• 🌍 Potential candidates from Africa include Cardinal Turkson of Ghana and Cardinal Ambongo of the DRC, with the last African pope being 1500 years ago.
• 🇫🇷 French cardinals are also in contention, with Jean Marc Aveline being a notable name on top lists for promoting interfaith dialogue.

Papal Betting and Traditions

• 💰 While historically popular, gambling on the conclave was banned in 1591 as an excommunicable offense, though church rules were later relaxed.
• ⚖️ The legality and acceptance of betting vary by country; it's not considered a norm in the US, but has a long history in the UK and Ireland.
• 📈 The Economist notes a significant increase in wagers this time compared to the last conclave.
• 🎮 In Italy, a popular online game called Fanta Papa allows users to create fantasy papal teams, engaging younger people with the process.
• 📉 Despite betting and speculation, bookies have historically been inaccurate in predicting the next pope.