sienamystic: (tolerable)
sienamystic ([personal profile] sienamystic) wrote2005-04-19 08:14 am

And the Venetian wins by a nose!

We have a betting pool at work going for the new Pope - no money on the line, but bragging rights are involved. We're using the brackets my friend Em sent me - so if Duke somehow takes it, I'll be quite peeved.

I'm backing Angelo Scola of Venice. By great luck, last night on the BBC they are doing profiles of the various cardinals, and it was his turn up. So now I know that he's a smartypants - two PhD's - and in fact one of his limitations may be a perception that he's a little distant and coldly logical on account of his gigantic brain. Or he might be a Vulcan. But he's been working with Venetian youth, has a romantic background of poverty (he's from a town on the outskirts of Milan: not a Venetian native), and is apparently a little more approachable than seems at first glance. More conservative than I'd like, alas, but better than Ratzinger, who's startling resemblance to Uncle Fester is a little worrisome (scroll up for the photographic comparison). Actually, with Ratzinger, I'm not outraged about the HitlerJugen issue - I'm thinking that drawing attention to your family by paying the fines and not joining was probably a scary prospect. But I'd still rather not see him as Pope.

Most of the people in the office are going for other Italians or for Ratzinger, but one brave soul went for Ted Crilly of Ireland, who I want to find more about (we told her she needed to present a defense of her choice with a five-page essay and Powerpoint presentation). I also want to know more about Godfried Danneels of Belgium, of whom other people have had good things to say.

You can also bet online as to what you think the new Papal name will be - I have no real interest in that, although Franciscus would be awesome (Francis being my confirmation saint and part of my thesis). Or, with the Venetian angle, Marcus - I don't think that's been used before but I'd have to check. I'm assuming it won't be John Paul III, but I have no hard reasons to think that.
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[identity profile] apis-mellifera.livejournal.com 2005-04-19 12:48 pm (UTC)(link)
I wish I worked someplace where we could have a Papal Conclave betting pool.

Ratzinger also looks creepily like Emperor Palpatine. Also, a Google search for Ratzinger turns up a FAN CLUB.

Ted Crilly

[identity profile] strawberrykaren.livejournal.com 2005-04-19 02:08 pm (UTC)(link)
It's sweet of your office-mate to support Ted Crilly, but, sadly, Ted is dead.

Re: Ted Crilly

[identity profile] sienamystic.livejournal.com 2005-04-19 03:06 pm (UTC)(link)
*snork* I wondered why I couldn't find any info on him at all the Papal betting sites. I'll give her the opportunity to switch candidates, although she may just decide to stick with him.

Re: Ted Crilly

[identity profile] sienamystic.livejournal.com 2005-04-19 04:03 pm (UTC)(link)
She has decided to swap to Carlo Maria Martini, who would be a rockin' choice (moderate to liberal views, contemplative) but who is not a strong candidate due to age and poor health.

[identity profile] dichroic.livejournal.com 2005-04-19 03:41 pm (UTC)(link)
I keep hearing (on NPR, mostly) that it's likely to be someone from S. America or Africa, those being where the Church has its greatest numbers.

What happens if no one wins you rpool?

[identity profile] sienamystic.livejournal.com 2005-04-19 04:01 pm (UTC)(link)
It's possible that it will be either a Nigerian cardinal, Francis Arinze, or Claudio Hummes from Brazil. But the cardinals might choose to go with a stopgap: elderly, Italian, and safe. It would give them more time to think about the direction of the Church.

If nobody wins the pool, it will be a great shame because there will be no victory dance in the hallway, accompanied by the declaration of prophetic powers on the part of the winner and the shaming of the losers. At least, that's what I plan on doing.