Nigeria Cardinal Francis Arinze Odds to be Named Next Pope Improve

Nigeria could provide the next Pope with Cardinal Francis Arinze’s odds improving after moving towards between 7/1 and 9/1 at some books.  Now Arinze is back to 5/1 odds at BetOnline.  The Nigerian Cardinal initially opened at 9/2 odds.

CNN notes that Nigeria is home to more than 25 million Catholics with many hoping the new pope will address some of the problems facing Africa's most populous country.

"I pray that this pope, I wish, in my heart that Christians and Muslims should come together. Millions have been killed as a result of religion," said Nnaemeka Anaele, a Nigerian Catholic, in an interview with CNN. "It touches my mind, I feel for it. I pray that the pope, as head of the church should focus more it especially in Africa."

The European bookmakers are less confident of an Arinze appointment as Vatican City prepares to select the next Pope prior to Easter.   The Nigerian Cardinal is listed with odds ranging from 14/1 to 30/1. 

- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com