Placing bets for new pope is a real hit in sports betting

The largest sports bookmakers tip the Benedict XVI successor. Although some time has already passed from the Pope's Benedict XVI announcement that he has decided to abdicate, it still raises great interest.

The new was a complete surprise to the entire world, no one expected such turn of events. In addition emotions are fueled by information regarding apocalyptic prophecy about the end of the world or lightening striking the St. Peter's Basilica. Probably everything will return to normal when the conclave will meet and new Pope is selected.

There are a lot of candidates to the throne of Peter, but we won't find out until March which one of them will become the head of the Church. Bookmakers got so interested in this topic that some of therm are already taking bets on this event. Anyone can nominate a candidate for Pope at bookmakers such as William Hill. The leading candidates to succeed Pope Benedict XVI are Peter Turkson from Ghana, Nigerian Francis Arinze and Canadian Marc Ouellet.

As you can see bookmakers predict confrontation between Africa-Canada, although it is said that due to the fact that most of the cardinals taking part in the selection of the Pope is of Italian origin, therefore the new Pope will be Italian as well. Adding to it the fact that for almost five hundred years the Popes were mostly Italians, Pope John Paul II and Benedict XVI were exceptions to this rule. Popular Italian candidates are: Archbishop Angelo Scola of Milan, Vatican secretary of state Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone and Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi. Besides the candidate, you may bet the name to be chosen by pope as well. Mostly betted are: Peter, Pius, and John Paul. We will soon find out if the bookmakers odds will coincide with the decision of conclave.

The highest chances according to bookmakers have:

Francis Arinze (@2,90)
Peter Turkson (@3,25)
Marc Ouellet (@6,00)