Before Catholics everywhere had a chance to mourn the death of Pope Francis, gambling companies were calculating the odds on who the next pope would be and taking bets from people all across the world.
Source: BetOnline
Luis Antonio Tagle was a popular pick for gamblers everywhere. Dubbed the “Asian Francis” by John L. Allen Jr., an expert Vatican analyst, Luis was expected to carry on the progressive changes Francis had been making to the Church since his papacy began in 2013.
On May 8, the Vatican surprised the world (and much to the dismay of gamblers everywhere) with their newly anointed leader, Pope Leo XIV.
A surprise to many except those in the conclave, Cardinal Robert Prevost (as he was known before his papacy) was chosen in the fourth round of ballots on the second day of the conclave.
“The pope who blessed Rome, gave his blessing to the entire world on that morning of Easter,” Pope Leo XIV said in his first address to the masses gathered in Vatican City, referring to Pope Francis’ morning mass on Easter Monday before he passed away.
“Allow me to follow up on that blessing.
“God loves us, God loves everyone.”
Pope Leo XIV expressed respect towards Pope Francis and has high hopes in carrying on the work of his predecessor.
Pope Leo XIV is now the first pope from the United States of America, following up Pope Francis’ historical first papacy from the Southern Hemisphere and Southern America.
Popes by Country
Source: PopeHistory.com
In attendance at the conclave was Australia’s own cardinal Mykola Bychok, who was the youngest cardinal in the congregation.
Cardinal Bychok had some insight to share on the processes within the conclave in a press conference, most notably disputing the glamorisation of the conclave by Hollywood in the film Conclave.
“The main reason during the conclave, to pray,” Cardinal Bychok said
“Not only to vote, it’s second.
“I watched the movie but it was controversial, especially about prayer.”
Cardinal Mykola spoke on the wars affecting his home country of Ukraine as well as the middle-east in Palestine, and the hope he has for Pope Leo XIV to be a symbol of peace in times of great tension.
“Maybe this influence of the leader of the Catholic church will stop the war and heal the wounds of the war,” he said.
Australia has seen a downward trend in believers of the Christian faith.
Pope Francis’ popular and progressive reforms hoped to combat this steady downward trend across the world, but since the beginning of his papacy in 2013, the data continues to predict a steady decline in the faith of its members.
Source: ABS
Despite this, Cardinal Mykola is betting on a brighter future for the church.
“I was completely in peace and completely in hope that the next pope will do the best of his ability what he can do, not only for Australia and Ukraine, but the whole world,” he said.
