"Pope Benedict XVI, the first pope to resign in six centuries, created a very rare air in the pre-conclave period because believers haven't flocked to Rome to mourn the death of their pope."
The papal conclave to elect the new head of the Catholic Church begins this Tuesday. The election of a new pope has always been an international event, but not like it has been this time. People look at the papal race as a World Cup or a Championship. There are games in Las Vegas, brackets all over the country, and even online games that anyone can play to bet in your favorite candidate. In addition, every country is campaigning for their favorite candidate. The Nigerian Cardinal John Onaiyekan said that the president of Nigeria told him " 'they should give it to us this time'…They all say, 'We are voting for you,' and I have to tell them they're not voting." Their intention to vote do not matter. Their prayer may help, but not their vote or money. It is the "March Madness", not because of basketball but because of the Vatican. This is a historic moment and I have no doubt that there will be still many news about the March Madness of the Vatican until the next pope is elected. In the meantime people should gamble less and pray more so we can have a strong leader blessed by God to be Peter's successor. A pope doesn't only influence the way the Catholic church is governed, but he also influences the relationship among Catholicism and other religions, and how Catholics behave in the society.
Source: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323826704578354131939902530.html?mod=WSJ_hps_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsTop#project%3DPAPABILE0213%26articleTabs%3Darticle
Keep running your numbers a new pope has not yet been elected!
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