11 April 2005The Italian jobA reader sent a link to an Irish site taking bets on the next Pope. As of this writing, Francis Arinze (Nigeria) is the favorite, at 3-1; Oscar Andrés Rodríguez Maradiaga (Honduras) and Dionigi Testamanzi (Italy) are at 9-2, with Joseph Ratzinger (Germany) at 6-1. The American accorded the best chance is Sean Patrick O'Malley, Archbishop of Boston, at 33-1, which strikes me as overly generous. They're also taking bets on the Pontiff's name; the favorite right now is Benedict XVIII (3-1), followed by John Paul III (7-2) and John XXIV (5-1). Peter II is a 20-1 shot, though I can't imagine anyone taking that name. I will, of course, burn in hell for suggesting that Arinze be elected, becoming the first black Pope of modern times, and that he take the name "Urban IX." Posted at 7:12 PM to Immaterial WitnessAs you might guess, based on my reaction to the University of Florida's new football coaching hire, I'd go with Pope Urb as the next pontifical handle. Of course, I'm also pulling for the mother of all wild card candidates: Yes, Madonna. Posted by: CT at 8:16 PM on 11 April 2005Wasn't there almost a song lyric? "How do you feel when you got no Urb?" Posted by: McGehee at 10:49 PM on 11 April 2005I'm trying to resolve the conflict between Adeodatus and Deusdedit, which seem to be the same name, one in the passive voice, the other in the active. |