Catholic Nutshell News: Wednesday 5/7/25
Topics include: Gamblers betting millions on Pope, French government denies Italian rumors, Cardinal Mamberti (a career diplomat) emerging, & Who was St. Malachy?
“Here was an almond tree in bloom before me”
Today's sources are the National Catholic Register, CNA, Aleteia, CatholicVote, The Pillar, OSV, The Imaginative Conservative, and CNA. (Catholic Nutshell is a subscription service for faithful, hopeful, & curious Catholics willing to exercise the Catholic News Muscle)
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Catholic News Agency
Gamblers betting millions of dollars on the next pope
By Tyler Arnold, May 7, 2025
As online gambling continues to grow in the United States, mostly on sports and casino games, bookmakers have also opened betting markets for various other contests, including the current papal conclave. Polymarket, a popular cryptocurrency-based betting platform, oversees over $18 million in bets on the papal conclave. Another platform, Kalshi, is managing nearly $6.7 million. The oddsmakers on Polymarket list Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin as the favorite to be selected with 27% odds and rank Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle at second with a 22% chance. The cardinals below them include Matteo Zuppi at 11%, Pierbattista Pizzaballa at 10%, and Peter Erdo at 7%. On Polymarket, more than $1.3 million has been placed on Tagle’s candidacy, and another $1.3 million has been bet on Dutch Cardinal Willem “Wim” Eijk, whom the oddsmakers give 1% odds.
CatholicVote
French government denies Italian rumors of conclave interference
By McKenna Snow, May 6, 2025
French officials are denouncing Italian media rumors that the government of France has tried to interfere with the outcome of the conclave. In an interview clip posted May 6 with RTL radio, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said it was “fake news” to claim that France was involved in “a covert and discreet campaign to try to elect a French pope.” “We are paying close attention tomorrow, that is, the conclave,” he said. “But we are not interfering in any way.”He said that if the related French cardinals were asked about it, they would explain, “They are not taking any voting instructions.” Barrot also noted that he does not perceive any issues with a French pope being elected.
Aleteia
Who was St. Malachy and did he predict the last pope?
By Philip Kosloski, May 6, 2025
The election of a new pope has provoked some Catholics to consult the ancient prophecies attributed to St. Malachy. One of the most famous prophecies that people connect to him is the belief that the last pope will have the name "Petrus Romanus," or "Peter the Roman." What is true is that St. Malachy did exist and he lived in Ireland during the 12th century. St. Bernard of Clairvaux even wrote his biography. St. Malachy became the archbishop of Armagh in 1132 and was known for restoring discipline in the local Church. He was a holy man and well revered for his leadership in Ireland at the time. He also reportedly had the gift of prophecy, but that is where things get murky. God is the only one who knows what will happen and who will be the last pope before the end of the world and the Second Coming.
CRUX
The last three of John Allen’s papabile possibilities
By John L. Allen Jr., May 6, 2025
The last three papabile possibilities reviewed by John Allen before the beginning of the Conclave today.
Cardinal Cristóbal López Romero - The 72-year-old serves as the Archbishop of Rabat in North Africa. The bearded, jovial Salesian, who exudes an informal style coupled with a deep intelligence, is seen as a potential Successor of Peter.
Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith - Ranjith has to be considered a potential contender, if only by virtue of having been around. He’s been a cardinal for 15 years, a Vatican official before that, and got a look as a papal candidate 12 years ago.
Cardinal Fernando Filoni - The 79-year-old former papal ambassador in Iraq was widely mentioned as a possibility in 2013 but has somewhat flown below the radar this time around.
The Pillar
Mamberti, a career diplomat, emerging as Crux’ consensus pick
By Ed. Condon, May 7, 2025
Crux has been running profiles of possible papal contenders, called “meet the conclave.” As the cardinals get close to a conclave without a clear consensus front-runner, there are some cardinals who say it could be Cardinal Dominique Mamberti. In an analysis on May 6, Cruz broke down the latest on where things seem to stand for the cardinals, and why it’s possible that Mamberti, a career diplomat who now heads the Apostolic Signatura, could be emerging as the consensus pick.
Here’s Crux’s top contenders:
Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo
Cardinal Peter Erdö
Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline
Cardinal Dominique Mamberti
Our Sunday Visitor
U.S. Catholics divided over inclusivity in Church
By Kate Scanlon, May 6, 2024
While the cardinals prepared for May’s conclave, a new study by the Pew Research Center showed that U.S. Catholics want a more inclusive church — but divides remain on key issues among those with differing rates of Mass attendance. The survey found that 60% of U.S. Catholics said the Church “should be more inclusive, even if that means changing some of its teachings,” while 37% said the Church “should stick to its traditional teachings, even if that means the Church gets smaller.” However, among those who attend Mass weekly, 53% said the Church should prioritize its traditional teachings, while 42% said it should prioritize inclusivity. White non-Hispanic Catholics (61%) were more likely to prioritize inclusivity over keeping traditional teaching than Hispanic Catholics (56%). Hispanic Catholics showed stronger support for insisting the Church stick to traditional teachings (40%) than white non-Hispanic Catholics (37%).
UCA News
Is the Church ready for a pope from Asia?
By Jonathan Y. Tan, May 7, 2025
Ask any Filipino about Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, and you’ll likely hear a story about how down-to-earth and relatable he is. His supporters call him the “Asian Francis,” but the 67-year-old Tagle is difficult to categorize neatly. International media have named this Asian cardinal among those who could be elected to succeed Pope Francis, who died last month after a 12-year-long papacy. Many Filipinos who knew Tagle, whether as their local priest or bishop, recognized him as someone they could relate to: humble, simple, down-to-earth, and eschewing episcopal pomp and splendour. As Bishop of Imus, Tagle was well known for not owning a car and instead relying on a bicycle or public bus, which allowed him to mingle with his flock. Although Tagle is not a Jesuit, his formative years were spent in Jesuit institutions: his undergraduate and master’s studies were at Ateneo de Manila University.
CatholicVote
How locking cardinals in a room became known as a conclave
By Dr Mario Baghos, May 7, 2025
For a brief time, Viterbo, a small city just 90 minutes north of Rome, became the residence of nine Popes and the birthplace of the conclave as we know it today. Rome in the 13th century was very different from what we see today. It was filled with violence and division. Two families — the Guelphs and the Ghibellines — ruled and battled over who had the authority to appoint bishops and abbots. The city of Rome had been overwhelmed with conflict. It was ruled unsafe, and Pope Alexander IV transferred the papal see to Viterbo. For 24 years – from 1257 to 1281 – the Palace of the Popes in Viterbo was the residence of the pontiffs. In 1268, 19 of the 20 cardinal electors traveled to Viterbo to take part in choosing a successor. The election would become the longest conclave in Church history. In September of 1271, after more than three years without a pontiff, Pope Gregory X was elected.
From Loop & Agency to Satire for 5/7/25
CatholicVote: Daily LOOP
Read daily news and political impact stories at the “LOOP”
Elections and politics matter. The LOOP gives you daily gems on the news that seek “to renew our country and culture.” CatholicVote’s advertised mission is “To inspire every Catholic in America to live out the truths of our faith in public life.” Today’s Wednesday topics from the LOOP include:
SUPREME COURT ALLOWS TRUMP ADMIN'S MILITARY 'TRANS' POLICY - The Supreme Court sided with the Trump administration Tuesday, allowing enforcement of its military policy banning “transgender” individuals from service by lifting a federal judge’s order that had blocked its implementation. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt hailed the ruling as a “MASSIVE victory.”
AUSTIN DIOCESAN SCHOOLS EXPECT WAVE OF NEW STUDENTS - Catholic schools in the Diocese of Austin are preparing for a potential wave of new students following Texas’ enactment of the largest school choice program in the nation. The new law provides eligible families with up to $8,000 annually through Education Savings Accounts.
CONNECTICUT: THOUSANDS PROTEST POTENTIAL HOMESCHOOLING CRACKDOWN - Connecticut families showed up in droves at the state Capitol May 5 to urge lawmakers to defend parental rights against proposals to introduce invasive regulations. The rally was in response to a “Homeschool Informational Hearing” called by the Democrat-controlled Education Committee of the Connecticut General Assembly.
Catholic News Agency
CNA’s top headlines — May 7, 2025
Catholic News Agency provides reliable, free, up-to-the-minute news affecting the Universal Church, emphasizing the words of the Holy Father and happenings of the Holy See to anyone with access to the internet.
Bishop Barron offers overview of ‘papabile’ field - May 7, 2025 - By Tessa Gervasini - One of America’s best-known prelates shared what he believes to be the qualities of some of the cardinals being mentioned.
Cardinal Re outlines vision for next papacy in pre-conclave homily - May 7, 2025 - By CNA Staff - The College of Cardinals held its 12th general congregation on Tuesday, where Pope Francis’ ring fisherman’s ring was officially destroyed.
First responders honored at 31st annual ‘Blue Mass’ in Washington, DC - May 6, 2025 - By Madalaine Elhabbal - Organized by the Archdiocese of Washington, Auxiliary Bishop Roy Campbell celebrated the 31st Annual Blue Mass on Tuesday, May 6.
Babylon Bee - Satire News
Corporal Klinger Finally Discharged From Army After Trans Military Ban
By U.S. Staff, May 6, 2025
Corporal Maxwell Klinger has finally been discharged from the Army after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Trump administration's ban on trans military members. Klinger, stationed in Korea with the 4077th MASH unit, expressed relief that the day he had been looking forward to his whole life had finally arrived, and he could finally get out of the Army and get back home to Toledo, Ohio. "Persistence really does pay off," Klinger said while wearing a frilly pink dress. "Everyone told me to give up years ago, but I knew if I stuck with it, I could get out of this place. On the bright side, I've managed to build up a really impressive wardrobe after all this time."
Nutshell reflections for 5/7/25:
USCCB Daily Reflection AUDIO & VIDEO - May 7, 2025
Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter
The Imaginative Conservative
Return of communion rails is transforming parishes
By John Horvat, May 5, 2025
After the Second Vatican Council, many churches removed their altar rails, claiming it divided “the people of God” from the priest in the sanctuary. The idea was to turn the Mass into “a shared, communal worship experience.” However, it also removed the sense of the sacred that once dominated the church, and Eucharistic devotion waned. In an article in the National Catholic Register, Joseph Pronechen reports on how all this has changed with the proliferation of altar rails. The return of the rails is transforming parishes and is being enthusiastically received by Catholics of all ages, including young people who never knew them.
Roman Catholic Truth
Scrupulosity: A force which resists the mere statement of facts
By Sean Mitchell, May 7, 2025
As one who has struggled intensely with scrupulosity, I can attest to the fact that it is a dreadful experience. Any seriously scrupulous person, I think, would admit that preoccupation with fear of sin, questioning whether this or that act was a sin, feeling at practically every moment a need for confession, etc., so engrosses him as to deprive him almost totally of any happiness whatsoever. Being absorbed in this way by inescapable anxiety, scrupulous persons become rather incapable of functioning normally among their peers. Worst of all, they become disinclined to the spiritual life. In short, scrupulosity is seriously harmful to the faithful who bear it as their cross. It is therefore extremely important that those who struggle with it are not left to their own devices.
Religion News Service
Cardinals confident they can listen to one another
By Claire Giangravé & Aleja Hertzler-McCain, May 6, 2025
As cardinals left their final meeting before the conclave begins, they expressed confidence in their time of listening and prayer, and some predicted a relatively quick election of the next pope. “We’ve gotten to know the voices of bishops from all over the world,” Cardinal José Cobo Cano, archbishop of Madrid, told RNS in Spanish. “We go on with a wide cosmos of opinions.” Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, major archbishop-Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, who is based in Kerala, India, said the general congregations were a process “to go deeper (into) the life of Christ and get strength from him, and to respond to the challenges” facing the church. Cardinals said they now had a better sense of each other, despite having little familiarity before the general congregations since the geographically diverse cardinals didn’t gather frequently during Pope Francis’ papacy.
Missio Dei
The Eucharist: We find the clear language of Our Lord
By Andrew McGovern, May 7, 2025
Today’s Gospel is a section from the Bread of Life discourse, one of the most important passages in all of Scripture, encompassing the Catholic Church’s teaching on the Holy Eucharist as the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ. Many Protestant thinkers will read John 6 as a metaphor for needing the virtue of faith and saying that when Christ speaks of eating His flesh and drinking His blood, He is merely speaking in parabolic terms. They are half correct. The Bread of Life discourse can be separated into two parts: verses 22-51 and 52-71. We cannot throw one part, with its core teachings, out the window and merely concentrate on the one that remains. The second part gives the Doctrine of the Eucharist and the True Presence, forming what Catholics concentrate on, and rightly so. It is here that we find the clear language of Our Lord.
Image of Almonds by Monfocus from Pixabay
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