The Next Pope and Papal Name Odds and Predictions

You have to be a real degenerate to be eager to bet on the next Pope odds, but here we are. Of course, maybe you’re just really religious, and/or you know an edge when you see it.

To be fair, I’m not sure there is a massive edge when betting on the new Pope, other than every single option is priced at +600 or better.

There’s no denying the value available to sports bettors, but nailing the guy to succeed Pope Francis is easier said than done. If you’re up to the challenge, join me as I break down the current betting favorites and go over some contenders en route to my prediction.

Odds to Become the Next Pope

There have been next Pope odds online for some time, but nothing has changed. Pope Francis has held down the fort since 2013 and all of the whispers have yet to produce anything of merit.

He is, of course, 87 years old. It stands to reason that he will be replaced at some point in the not too distant future.

If you’re interested in betting on who the next Pope will be, let’s first take a look at the latest odds over at Bovada and other online betting sites.

I know what you’re thinking; we’re one step away from building out a fantasy Pope league, am I right? I sure hope not, but I do realize there’s some money to be made here.

As noted, the top betting favorites get the party started at a cool +600, and the upside is obvious from there. The big question is whether it pays to start slinking away from the likes of Tagle and Quellet, or if they are as legit as favorites can be.

There is something to be said of experience and age when trying to decide who the next Pope might be, but I personally will put quite an onus on value and upside.

With that, there are still clear contenders to be named Pope. Let’s break down the best bets and see who stands out the most.

Why Are Luis Tagle and Marc Ouellet Co-Favorites?

There can only be one. No, this isn’t Highlander, but I don’t fully understand why two different Cardinals have the same odds.

This tells us a whole lot without saying much at all. First, that both of these guys are regarded as the most likely successors to Pope Francis. But second, that they’re in a tie and at +600 odds, they’re not exactly traditional betting favorites.

First up is Tagle, who likes to be called Chito and is known as the Asian Francisc to many. The 67-year old has held numerous posts within the Catholic Church, including President of the Catholic Biblical Federation since 2015.

Tagle would be a shift in what we’ve come to expect with the Pope in racial terms, but he’d admittedly be a breath of fresh air. 

He’s far from the youngest Pope candidate we’ve seen, but he’s been rather vocal in issues involving social justice, care for the poor, abortion, and leadership within the church.

Ouellet isn’t as intriguing, if you ask me. He has loads of experience, but he’s already 80 and has even been accused of sexual assault in the past.

He’s denied the claims and nothing came of it, but it’s worth noting. If you’re going based off of his career within the Catholic Church, he’s a worthy candidate, especially since his name has come up in consideration for the papacy in both 2005 and 2013.

I think Ouellet is a bit old at this point (he’s just seven years younger than the current Pope), and while the odds say otherwise, he isn’t someone I’d be eager to bet on.

Top Contenders to be the Next Pope

The co-favorites above are probably your best bets if you’re looking to get a quick bet on who the next Pope will be. However, these things are not an exact science, so it might be a good idea to see what other contenders stand out.

There are two that make good sense, and they’re the only other two gentlemen who have odds better than +1000. 

That doesn’t mean you can’t chase value with bets of +1000 or greater, but I’d start the bidding with these two Pope candidates first.

Cardinal Peter Erdo +700

The 72-year old Erdo looks like a pretty logical candidate to replace Pope Francis. He has shown legit leadership capabilities as the President of the Council of the Bishops’ Conference of Europe from 2006 to 2013 (try saying that three times fast), for one.

In addition, he has served as the Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest and Primate of Hungary since 2003. 

More than just a guy leading the charge at some prestigious posts, Erdo is also revered for his conservative views. There has already been public speculation as to whether he’s the next guy to take the job, too.

He aligns closely with Catholic doctrines, and that includes his stance on abortion and holy sacraments, as well as his interpretation of doctrine in general.

As the Primate of Hungary, Erdo holds one of the highest ecclesiastical offices in Eastern Europe, providing further evidence that he can run the show at a high level. Unflappable in the face of mainstream media, Erdo’s direct and conservative approach would make him a fine Pope.

Archbishop Angelo Scola +800

How the heck did an Archbishop get in here? Go back home, Angelo. All jokes aside, this is one of just a few non- Cardinal candidates to become the next Pope.

Bovada and other online betting sites have way more Pope candidates than I listed in the odds section, but just three of them are Archbishops.

Angelo is one of three, but he has by far the best odds of his like-minded brethren, and he happens to have the second best odds to be the next Pope, overall.

So, should you bet on him?

Well, he’s already 82, so I’m not entirely sold that you should. However, he is revered for his stellar intellect and strong theological background, as he’s been described as a disciple of Pope Benedict XVI.

His Catholic pedigree looks outstanding on paper, but Angelo Scola zigs where someone like Peter Erdo zags. While his leadership and theology background checks out, he’s also known for his ability to connect with the youth, while he’s also active and effective through the use of modern technology – namely social media.

I keep returning to the fact that he’s a bit older, but he’s easily one of the more balanced Pope candidates out there.

Best Value Bet to Become Pope Next

There are a ton of candidates to be the next Pope. As I said before, the top betting sites offer even more Pope contenders (and odds); you just have to go looking for them.

I’ve detailed the two co-favorite and two additional contenders, and I’ll wrap things up with my favorite Pope sleeper pick. If there is even such a thing.

Should there be, I’d imagine it’d be Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who looks like an awesome bet at his +3300 price tag. He looks a bit older than he is, but at just 69, he may have quite a few years of running the show ahead of him.

That’s if he gets the gig, of course.

Parolin is as good of a candidate as anyone else vying for the papacy, though. He’s certainly displayed his trustworthiness and reliability, serving as the Vatican’s Secretary of State since 2013. He’s also been on the Council of Cardinal Advisers since 2014, and spent 30 years with the Hole See.

The guy has been around the block, getting his hands dirty in various diplomatic relations and foreign policy. On top of obvious leadership skills and the ability to navigate difficult situations, he’s shown himself to be a strict conservative, and is unlikely to ruffle feathers if he were to be made Pope next.

Who Will Be the Next Pope?

Cardinal Luis Tagle is the odds on favorite and he has the same exact odds as Cardinal Marc Ouellet. I’m honestly not blown away by either of them, but if I had to bet on one, it’d be Tagle just because he’s a good change of pace and not a million years old.

He’s had some decision-making concerns in the past, but he’s only 69 and literally everything else on his resume checks out. Ouellet is far more polished in terms of church experience and leadership, but he’s old as heck and has some very questionable baggage to carry in.

If you’re going away from the favorites and want to bet on the next tier, I’d go with Peter Erdo. He fits the bill as a Pope candidate and at 72 could still have a lot to give back to the church.

As far as safe plays go, I think Erdo leads the charge. However, we’re betting on the freaking Pope over here, and not a whole lot about that feels safe.

I do think as time goes on, the odds and rumors will make this easier to decide. For now, though, I’d rather aim high with a very strong contender in Pietro Parolin.

If the Catholic Church wants to bring in someone who is qualified, will stick with their doctrine, but also could be here for the long haul, I think he’s a good bet. He also offers killer betting value, and when you’re betting on an unpredictable market like this, that gets me excited.

Bet: Cardinal Pietro Parolin +3300