TOP TEN CANDIDATES FOR THE JOB OF POPE ACCORDING TO BOOKIES

AFRIKUPDATE

9/4 Cardinal Peter Turkson, 64

Country: Ghana 

Elevated to cardlinalate by Pope John Paul II

Significant views: Would like to see a black pope. Believes condoms should be used in marriage if one partner is infected with Aids.

5/2 Cardinal Marc Ouellet, 68

Country: Canada

Elevated to the cardinalate by Pope John Paul II

Significant views: Belief that abortion is unjustifiable, even in cases of rape.

7/2 Cardinal Francis Arinze, 80

Country: Nigeria

Elevated to cardlinalate by Pope John Paul II

Significant views: Extreme conservatism on birth control and abortion

7/1 Cardinal Angelo Scola, 71

Country: Italy

Elevated to become Archbishop of Milan by Benedict XVI

Significant views: Wants to work more closely with Islam and support Christians in the Middle East

10/1 Cardinal Oscar Maradiaga, 70

Country: Honduras

Elevated to cardinalate by Pope John Paul II

Significant views: A moderate but is anti-abortion and criticised Ricky Martin for using a surrogate mother 

12/1 Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, 78

Country: Italy

Elevated to cardinalate by Pope John Paul II

Significant views: Blamed homosexual infiltration of the clergy for Catholic child sex scandals

14/1 Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, 70

Country: Italy

Elevated to cardinalate by Pope Benedict XVI

Significant views: Strongly against abortion and expressed anger towards same-sex unions

16/1 Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 77

Country: Argentina

Elevated to cardinalate by John Paul II

Significant views: Against abortion and euthanasia, is against same-sex marriage but calls for respect of gay people. Washed the feet of 12 Aids patients in 2001.

20/1 Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, 69

Country: Argentina

Elevated to cardinalate by Benedict XVI

Significant views: Said Christians in Iraq under Saddam Hussein were more free than they are now

25/1 Cardinal Christoph von Schonborn, 68

Country: Austria

Elevated to cardinalate by John Paul II

Significant views: Said use of a condom by an Aids sufferer could be seen as a 'lesser evil'.