#proximopapa Who will be the new Pope? Cryptocurrency betting highlights 3 names

Everything indicates that the legacy of Francis will continue to connect with new generations.

The Vatican maintains its traditional reserve.

As the Catholic world holds its breath waiting for the next conclave, cryptocurrency users are turning to the prediction platform to bet on who will be the successor of Francis, the new Pope capable of stirring the waters under the Dome of St. Peter. There, the speculations are no longer just aimed at Rome, but are decisively looking towards Manila.

This is because the Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin is surpassing the Filipino Luis Antonio Tagle as the most likely candidate to succeed Pope Francis, according to the latest predictions from Polymarket. On this cryptocurrency-based betting platform, which has captured global attention following the death of the pontiff, as well as other events of global interest, Parolin is seen as the chosen one, so far. Although closely followed by the Filipino, who was leading the bets just before the publication of this note. If he becomes Pope, he would make history as the first Filipino in the more than 2,000 years of existence of the Catholic Church.

The reason Tagle emerges as one of the favorites is due to his pastoral charisma, his media profile, and his roots in Asia—a key region for the future of the Church—that may have positioned him as the candidate with the greatest consensus among the electors' cardinals. If elected, it will be a milestone for the more than 80 million Catholics in his home country and for all of Asia, where he is seen as a symbol of hope and renewal for the Church.

Pietro Parolin, 70 years old, so far considered the natural successor of Francis due to his role as Secretary of State of the Vatican since 2013, has gained ground in the betting with a 32% probability. Tagle, for his part, is now at 24%, according to data from Polymarket.