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Subscribe to RSSAs March Madness looms, a religious news website has created its own bracket for the papal conclave featuring not basketball teams but a "Sweet Sistine" of cardinals who could become pope.
A week before Pope Benedict retires, there is still no clear candidate to succeed him. There is a possibility New York's Cardinal Timothy Dolan, praised in Catholic circles for his efforts to revitalize the church, may be a frontrunner. TODAY's Anne Thompson reports.
The topical online contest was devised by the non-profit Religion News Service, part of the University of Missouri School of Journalism.
It came as the world’s cardinals gathered in Rome to see Pope Benedict depart the Vatican for the last time as pontiff Thursday.
They are expected to begin the process of choosing his successor at the Vatican from early next week.
By late Thursday more than 7,000 had 'played' in the first round of the poll, which pits New York's Archbishop, Cardinal Timothy Dolan against Boston’s Cardinal Sean O'Malley and Canada’s Marc Ouellet against Mexico's Norberto Rivera.
First round voting ends at midnight ET on Friday. You can play the game, and see the early results, here.
To boost your chances, there’s insight on some of the contenders here.
Related:
Inside Castel Gandolfo, Pope Benedict's spectacular temporary retirement home
'Amateur hour': Vatican conclave drama is one for the history books, experts say
Inside the Vatican: The $8 billion global institution where nuns answer the phones
Leave a Comment:
I think this is truly hilarious! Kudos for the person who came up with this. Honestly, I was wondering if there's a board in Vegas with an odds on favorite.
I'm betting that the next pope will be Roman Catholic.
Many a Cardinal has entered the Conclave a Pope, and come out a Cardinal. But I believe the next elected Pope will either be Cardinal Peter Turkson, or Cardinal Frances Arinze.
The next pope will be the last pope.
Regardless of who the next (last) Pope is, there's so many Biblical end time events, taking place right now.
Gloria Steinem
This is a copy of what was started using Saints and it was started by Episcopalians. It has now been copied by the Roman Catholics due to the upcoming election.
As a Catholic, I find this offensive. Most of the comments are also offensive.
I second your sentiments. I find it horrible. I pray that they be forgiven.
As a catholic, you provide financial backup and moral support to the shielding of child rapists. I wouldn't go around bragging about this if I were you.
LOL.....sah-weet!
Can't wait for the Final Po'....
Who cares. They are sick, twisted and do not represent Christianity.
The Pope is struggling to keep RELEvant, so at the end of his final Prayer in St Peter Sq, he said, "F**ck you all, I'M GOING TO DISNEYWORLD!!"
I will be Pope. That should settle the issue. I want a no cut contract, all expenses(they are outrageous) a new Popemobile and a Ferrari would be nice also(tell the peons to get out of the way) I want my digs to have a do over. They haven't changed since that Sistine Chapel thing. Finally, I want some option years after I am gone so that I can live in the manner I have become accustomed to.
Really. Does it matter that a man who ignored sexual abuse in his church is going to some rich retirement? Will the new pope do anything different? No. Business as usual with the Roman Catholic church. The real church, us the people, do not matter a whit. Who cares who the new pope is? Whatever.
I don't see how these polling "rounds" are supposed to work. Unlike a basketball championship, we don't get to see intermediate results of the votes for pope. We will only know who wins. We'll never know how those two match-ups mentioned in the article worked out, unless one of the four is selected pope.
They probably all get "together" and have a "smorgasbord", then pick the one with the tightest "end".
The LAST POPE...My next thriller!
Don't forget #17, Leroy Brown, who isn't a cardinal, and may not have even attended church for 35 years, but promises to root out all the pedos. Leroy for pope!!
How about Jerry Sandusky? He is one of the most prominent pedophiles of all time. Probably "done" more boys than the average priest. He'd do a great job of training and coaching the Cardinals.