Pope resigns unexpectedly

This is not an ordinary election: In this election, there are no official candidates, no campaign, no official support committees, neither promises nor election campaign gifts. Presumably it is this opaque situation in the papal election, which fueled the rumor mill about possible successors.

According to British bookies, candidates from Africa, Italy and Canada have very good odds, as the Italian news agency for betting and gambling, Agipro News, reported on Monday.

Pope Benedict XVI. had previously announced his surprise resignation. The 85-year-old said at a plenary meeting of the cardinals in a speech held in Latin, because of his age he was no longer “the force” to lead the Catholic Church. It is the first time in centuries that a pope resigns from office.