SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
As Pope Francis prepares for his week-long visit to the United States, the first by a leader of the Catholic Church since 1999,UK bookmakers have placed the popular figurehead at 7/1 to win the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize.
Pope Francis the most high profile of candidates on bookmakers’ short-lists, currently lies third favourite to win the Nobel Prize which will awarded by the Norwegian Nobel Committee on 9 October.
The Argentine Pope, who’s papacy begun in March 2013 has set out to tackle global concerns regarding climate change, wealth inequality and women’s rights in Catholicism. Furthermore Pope Francis has been more open to debating Catholic doctrine on gay marriage, abortion and divorce.
Francis’ progressive stance which focuses on modernising Catholic agenda on a global scale, has led to media sources to anointing him the “Dope Pope”.
Bookmakers view a close race for the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize, which is currently led by refugee rights advocate Father Mussie Zerai (Eritrea) and Dr Denis Mukwege (Republic of Congo) campaigner against rape as a weapon of war and conflict, who lead the market at 6/1.
Awarded at the Norway Storting (Parliament), the Nobel Peace Prize is to go to whoever “shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses”
