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Bookies reveal fresh new Pope odds but punters in one country are banned from betting

Bookies are getting their odds in order for the cardinals hoping to step up following the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, which the secretive conclave process beginning

[FILE - OCTOBER 21, 2020: In a documentary that aired on Wednesday, Pope Francis has called for the creation of civil union laws for same-sex couples, saying that they should be "legally covered." BANGKOK, THAILAND - NOVEMBER 21: Pope Francis visits the Saint Louis Hospital on November 21, 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand. Pope Francis arrived in Bangkok yesterday to begin a three day tour in Thailand followed by Japan. This is the first visit by the head of the Roman Catholic church since St. John Paul II back in 1984. Thailand, a Buddhist country has approximately 388,000 Catholics, out of 69 million people. (Photo by Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images)]

Pope Francis sadly died on Easter Monday

Pope Francis's body has been laid to rest this weekend after he lay in state at St Peter's Basilica. Thousands took to the streets of Vatican as applause rained down from the crowds as the procession made its way through St Peter's Square but while mourning is taking place, the question of who will take place as the next leader of the Catholic Church is stirring.

Many punters are even looking to see if they can place a wager on the cardinals currently looking to step up their position. While the cardinals vote with their ever-secretive conclave process and the world waits until the white smoke from the Vatican chimney indicates the 'chosen one', the bookies are setting their odds.

According to William Hill, Robert Sarah has been backed to succeed Pope Francis as the next Pope. The Guinean prelate has shortened into 6/1 from 9/1 in the last 24 hours to become joint-third favourite in the market alongside Peter Turkson and Matteo Zuppi, having been as big as 20/1 on Tuesday.

[Robert Sarah]

Robert Sarah's odds have shortened (Image: Vandeville Eric/ABACA/Shutterstock)

Pietro Parolin remains favourite but has drifted out to 9/4 from 2/1, while Luis Antonio Tagle is second in the market at 3/1.

While some consider it in bad taste, wagers on religious leaders are allowed, apart from in the US where the practice is banned.

Spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said: There are sure to be many twists and turns before we know who will be the next Pope but in the last few days weve seen positive signs for Robert Sarah, who has shortened into 6/1 from 9/1 and was as big as 20/1 earlier in the week.

Pietro Parolin is holding onto his position at the head of the market for now at 9/4, but he has drifted slightly from 2/1, while Luis Antonio Tagle remains second favourite at 3/1.

Odds for the next Pope to replace Pope Francis. currently stand as:

Pietro Parolin

9/4

Luis Antonio Tagle

3/1

Matteo Zuppi

6/1

Peter Turkson

6/1

Robert Sarah

6/1

Pierbattista Pizzaballa

8/1

Peter Erdo

10/1

Mauro Gambetti

16/1

Jean-Marc Aveline

18/1

Cristobal Lopez Romero

18/1

BAR

20/1

Robert Sarah served as as prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments from 2014 to 2021. He is a traditionalist and conservative, and is seen by many as, depending on your point of view, a protector traditional Catholic teaching.

[Pietro Parolin]

Pietro Parolin appears a well-backed successor (Image: Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)

He called ISIS and gender ideology the "two radicalisations" that put family life at risk.

However, favourite Pietro Parolin served as the Vatican's Secretary of State since 2013. He has also held positions as Cardinal-Bishop of Santi Simone e Giuda Taddeo a Torre Angela and Member of the Council of Cardinal Advisers.

The 70-year-old is Italian and was appointed by Pope Francis himself. Fluent in several languages, he is regarded highly on the world-stage. Some bookies suggest cardinals with similar views to Pope Francis could do well.

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