Papal conclave attracting more bets than the Oscars
{{date|April 17, 2005}}
[[Image:Chapelle sixtine plafond.jpg|right|thumb|200px|The Sistine Chapel; Papal conclave starts later this week]]
The [[Ireland|Irish]] bookmaker, [[w:Paddy Power|Paddy Power]], has described this weeks conclave in the Vatican as ''"getting to be a bigger non-sporting betting event than the [[w:Oscars|Oscars]] Hollywood movie awards."''

The bookmaker has been taking bets all week on who will be the next Pope, with [[w:Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger|Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger]] the 3-1 favourite. Second favorite was a Frenchman; [[w:Jean-Marie Cardinal Lustiger|Jean-Marie Cardinal Lustiger]]. The betting firm revealed that one customer has placed €1,000 (US$1,287) on the former [[w:Jew|Jew]].

In third place is a 78 year old [[w:Italian|Italian]], [[w:Carlo Maria Cardinal Martini|Carlo Maria Cardinal Martini]]. Like the late [[w:Pope John Paul II|Pope John Paul II]], Martini has [[w:Parkinson's disease|Parkinson's disease]] and is quite conservative. He was also a close confidante of John Paul II who debated with the theologian on Church dogma.

==Sources==

*{{source|url=http://www.reuters.co.in/locales/c_newsArticle.jsp?type=worldNews&localeKey=en_IN&storyID=8203362| title=For papal punters, Ratzinger leads 4-man race | author=Nelson Graves |pub=Reuters|date=April 17, 2005}}
*{{source|url=http://www.itv.com/news/world_1236879.html| title=Favourites emerge in Pope betting| author= |pub=ITV News|date=April 17, 2005}}
*{{source|url=http://www.news24.com/News24/World/News/0,,2-10-1462_1691358,00.html| title=Betting on papal race heats up | author= |pub=News24|date=April 17, 2005}}

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[[Category:Europe]]
[[Category:Ireland]]
[[Category:The Vatican]]
[[Category:Wackynews]]
[[Category:Culture and entertainment]]
[[Category:Pope John Paul II]]
The Sistine Chapel; Papal conclave starts later this week
The Irish bookmaker, Paddy Power, has described this weeks conclave in the Vatican as "getting to be a bigger non-sporting betting event than the Oscars Hollywood movie awards."

The bookmaker has been taking bets all week on who will be the next Pope, with Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger the 3-1 favourite. Second favorite was a Frenchman; Jean-Marie Cardinal Lustiger. The betting firm revealed that one customer has placed €1,000 (US$1,287) on the former Jew.

In third place is a 78 year old Italian, Carlo Maria Cardinal Martini. Like the late Pope John Paul II, Martini has Parkinson's disease and is quite conservative. He was also a close confidante of John Paul II who debated with the theologian on Church dogma.
Europe Ireland The Vatican Wackynews Culture and entertainment Pope John Paul II