Can You Bet on Who Will Be the Next Pope?

Yes, you can bet on who will become the next pope, although options are limited to just a few entertainment betting sites willing to take action on this controversial issue. With Pope Francis at 85 years old, speculation is heating up on who might succeed him after nearly 10 years as pontiff. This article will explore the juicy history, secret election process, Vatican riches and privileges that prompt betting on the most influential spiritual office in the world.

A Centuries-Old Tradition of Papal Betting

Wagering on who will next wear the papal whites and fisherman‘s ring dates back hundreds of years. In 1503, bookies took bets on the successor to Pope Alexander VI after his death. When aging popes become infirm, conclaves to elect the next pontiff create morbid curiosity and a rush to handicap potential candidates.

Gambling on the sacred process seems sacrilegious. But it reflects the mystique and perceived skullduggery underlying the opaque voting by the College of Cardinals. Will it be a liberal reformer? A conservative enforcer? An Italian insider or progressive outsider?

According to a report, speculation heated up on Nigerian Francis Arinze after Pope John Paul II‘s death in 2005. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger emerged as Pope Benedict instead. When Benedict shocked the world by resigning in 2013, oddsmakers scrambled after wrongly predicting he‘d be pope for life.

Conclave Secrecy Stokes Speculation

The strict protocols around a papal conclave only heighten intrigue and perceptions of backroom deals that influence voting:

• After 15-20 days of mourning, the College of Cardinals is "locked in" the Sistine Chapel until two-thirds agree on a candidate.

• Jamming devices prevent communications. Cardinals reside in makeshift rooms during voting.

• Ballots are burned after each round. Black smoke means voting continues, white signals the new pope is picked.

• Once elected, the pope is asked if he accepts and what papal name he will take before being vested in papal robes.

According to Vatican expert John Allen, the 2005 conclave defied predictions, with Ratzinger receiving an unexpected number of progressive cardinal votes in addition to conservatives. Such uncertainty leaves ample room for speculation.

Understanding the Pope‘s Worth and Vatican Riches

The pope may take a vow of poverty, but he reigns over a vast religious empire with immense financial resources, adding temporal intrigue.

• The pope‘s personal net worth is conservatively estimated at $2.5 million. But he refuses a generous Vatican salary and resides in a simple suite at Casa Santa Marta.

• The Vatican Bank oversees assets and investments worth over $8 billion according to Moneyval estimates. Its history of shady transactions and corruption have led to periodic scandals and reforms.

• The Catholic Church possesses extensive global real estate. The Holy See itself claims property worth over $1 billion. According to economist Jeffrey Liss, total Vatican-related holdings may reach $15 billion.

• Peter‘s Pence donations from the worldwide faithful directly support papal activities like charity. They exceeded $85 million in 2020.

• Vatican museums, media and tours earn over $300 million annually per the Council on Foreign Relations, making the tiny city-state reliant on tourism.

According to Fortune magazine, the Vatican even operates at a loss with yearly deficits covered by APSA, or the Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See. This hints at even greater undisclosed assets and property. Such temporal wealth, though supposedly separate from the "church‘s mission", stirs added fascination and perceptions of secrecy.

Privilege and Power Beyond the Spiritual

While the pope is expected to focus on pastoral stewardship and Catholic doctrine, privilege comes with the office:

• As a cardinal, the future pope enjoys luxurious Vatican apartments at reduced rent. Even staff like L‘Osservatore Romano editors reportedly get monthly salaries exceeding 5,000 euros.

• The exclusive Swiss Guard serves essentially as the pope‘s personal security and military force. Its colorful uniforms were designed by Michelangelo. Guards are trained in firearms and martial arts to protect the pope with their lives if needed.

• Cardinals and bishops directly appointed as Princes of the Church serve as close papal advisors and administrators over Rome‘s churches and basilicas. There are currently over 200 living cardinals.

• While all sins can be forgiven with contrition, certain grave sins are reserved to the pope like consecrating bishops without approval. This concept of "papal supremacy" was used historically to sell indulgences.

• As an absolute monarch, the pope holds complete legislative, executive and judicial control in Vatican City. Doctrinal declarations are considered infallible with no appeal.

Such vast privilege and influence, which some view as in conflict with Jesus‘ teachings, prompt further fascination with the occupants of St. Peter‘s throne.

Final Thoughts on Betting on the Papacy

In the end, gambling on who will become the pope trivializes choosing the spiritual leader of over 1 billion Catholics. But it reflects undeniable human curiosity about the political machinations and privileges surrounding the veil of secrecy known as a conclave. With an aging Pope Francis and unclear succession, our glimpse behind the Vatican‘s curtain seems unlikely to stop.