What Are the Vegas Odds of a Filipino Pope? The Betting Market Has Weighed in. The Numbers Might Surprise You.

When news broke of Pope Francis’s passing on April 21, 2025, global conversations quickly shifted to one major question: Who’s next?
And if you’ve been anywhere near the internet, or TikTok’s CatholicTok, for that matter, you’ve probably heard one name rising above the whispers: Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle.
He’s not just a contender. According to Vegas oddsmakers, Tagle is THE frontrunner.
Right now as of the publishing of this blog on April 22, 2025.,, he’s topping multiple betting charts. Here’s what the latest odds are saying:
William Hill: 7/4 odds (around 36.4% chance) — tied with Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin
Polymarket: Trading at 26 cents, which suggests a 26% probability
Kalshi: Trading at 22 cents, or 22% likelihood
OddsChecker: Listed at +300, which equals a 25% chance
By comparison, Parolin, his biggest rival, is hovering on average 34 percent across the same platforms. So yeah, Tagle is right there.
So who is Cardinal Tagle, and why is he suddenly the people’s pick?
Born in Manila in 1957, Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle grew up in a deeply Catholic household in Cavite. His mother was of Chinese descent, giving him the kind of multicultural roots that resonate with the Church’s increasingly global flock. He was ordained as a priest in 1982 and has quietly risen through the Vatican ranks. In 2012, Pope Benedict XVI named him cardinal. By 2019, Pope Francis tapped him to lead the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, one of the most powerful departments in the Vatican. The role placed him at the center of the Church’s future in Asia and beyond.
Tagle is often referred to as “The Asian Francis,” not just for his people-first approach, but for his commitment to inclusion, social justice, and humility. He’s the kind of spiritual leader who weeps at the pulpit and actually means it. Gen Z and millennial Catholics have even created a niche internet fandom around him. There are memes. There’s CatholicTok fan edits. There’s genuine respect.
But it’s not just about his vibe. It’s about timing.
The Catholic Church is facing a demographic pivot. Membership is declining in Europe while Asia, Africa, and Latin America are growing fast. Over 130 million Catholics live in Asia today, and the Philippines remains the third-largest Catholic country in the world. Choosing a Filipino pope wouldn’t just be symbolic. It would be strategic, powerful, and future-facing.
Of course, Vatican decisions don’t come down to fan favorites or betting slips. The conclave is confidential. The politics are complicated. And Tagle, while beloved, has critics among more conservative members of the Church’s leadership. But the fact that he's polling this high across so many betting platforms is more than a fluke. It's a reflection of shifting global consciousness, inside and outside the Church.
For Filipinos everywhere, this moment hits deep. It’s not just about religion. It’s about identity. It’s about seeing someone who understands your language, your culture, your worldview step into a position no Asian has ever held. It’s about making space at the most sacred table in the world.
Even if Tagle doesn’t become pope, the fact that he’s being considered this seriously, and is the frontrunner on actual betting books—speaks volumes. It tells a story of where the Church might be headed, and who it sees when it looks toward the future.
Tagle 2025? We’re not just praying. We’re betting on it.
Content creators in the Philippines have transformed their hobbies into full-time careers, whether it's cosplay, gaming, or Pinoy entertainment comedy. These gamers are influencing the new generation.
They said we were too young. Too brown. Too bold. But we’re here, and we’re not waiting our turn. This isn't a quiet revolution. It’s loud. Young Filipinos are rising in politics. And it’s already begun.
Graduation day marks the end of years filled with late-night studying, sacrifice, and striving to earn A’s to make their parents proud. Yet for many Filipino-American graduate students, this milestone also signals the beginning of a new kind of pressure.
Headed back to the U.S. after a trip to the motherland? Before you zip up that balikbayan box or max out your luggage allowance, don’t forget to grab a few beauty finds made for Filipinas, by Filipinas.
Representation in America’s favorite pastime sparks a unique kind of pride. It’s not just about fastballs and overpriced hotdogs; it’s about cultural visibility, shattering stereotypes, and proving that Filipinos belong on every stage, even the pitcher’s mound.
More than a bar of soap, it was a symbol of shame passed down through generations. We unpack the truth about papaya soap, colorism, and coming clean.
Let’s be honest: if you’re coming home to the Philippines for vacation, Boracay is probably already on your itinerary. It’s the classic combo: the powder-white sand, crystal-clear water, and nonstop beach vibes.
She did that. 🎾🇵🇭 Alex Eala just became the first Filipino ever to play on Wimbledon’s legendary Centre Court—wearing a sampaguita charm and serving straight power. From Miami upsets to Eastbourne finals to the biggest grass court in the world, she’s not just playing the game.
Filipinos worldwide rejoiced as Dylan Harper, the 2025 NBA draft's second pick, joined the San Antonio Spurs. While Dylan's father is five-time NBA champion Ron Harper Sr., it's his Filipina mother, Maria Harper, who's truly captivated fans, earning the viral title "First draft night baddie."
Nonprofits should not be singularly viewed as charity cases that communities must fund out of pity, but instead, be recognized as mission driven movements, transformative institutions, and caring systems of power and progress.
SoCal Filipinos commemorated their fifth anniversary on Friday, June 20, 2025, with a formal gala held at Intercrew in Los Angeles, California. This organization is a part of the Kababayan Network
After public backlash, HelloSafe quietly removed its ranking of the Philippines as the "least safe country." No apology. Just erasure. Here's the truth.
Rising artist and a proud graduate of California State University, Sacramento, Keith Lapuz channels his heritage into his symbolic works and honors his roots while pushing the boundaries of contemporary art.
The global waste trade is a multibillion-dollar industry, valued at over $400 billion, excluding the informal sector. Developed countries often export waste to developing nations like the Philippines due to lower processing costs and less stringent environmental regulations.
In 1975, during the time that the world had shunned homosexuality, columnist, former city councilor, and an AIDS activist in the name of Panfilo Justo opened his own home to provide care facilities for elderly gay men.
Filipino-Mexican-American golfer JJ Spaun just made history by winning the 2025 US Open. His victory is a cultural milestone for both Filipino and Mexican communities, proving that with hard work and perseverance, no dream is too big.
We had one of the biggest social gatherings for Filipinos in the Los Angeles area as the world winning Los Angeles Dodgers hosted Filipino Heritage Night, making it one of the most memorable outings in 2025.
June Millington is a Filipina-American guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer, teacher, and actress. She is a rock and roll veteran of over 50 years. Millington co-founded Fanny, the groundbreaking first all-female rock band signed to a major label.
Nothing beats a cup of coffee in the morning, the aroma of the roasted beans, that first crisp sip, and the pick me up you need to tackle the day. Did you know that coffee beans grown straight from the homeland of the Philippines have been on the up and up?
As clashes between ICE agents and protesters intensify in Downtown Los Angeles, immigrant communities—especially Filipino and Latino—are rising up in defiance. Tear gas, arrests, and federal escalation meet a movement fueled by grief, rage, and solidarity.
The 3rd Annual Filipino Forces Feast & Fiesta, founded by Rembrandt Flores and powered by Nike, brought together stars, community leaders, and culture shapers for an unforgettable AANHPI Month celebration—complete with sinigang dumplings, ube ice cream, and a karaoke mic drop.
The Jurassic period was a pivotal time in Earth’s history. It was characterized by the diversification of dinosaurs. Modern-day Philippines did not yet exist during this time, but geological evidence suggests that portions of what would become the Philippine were already forming.
A nurse’s lawsuit against Cedars-Sinai accuses Filipino coworkers of bullying—raising tough questions about cliques, culture, and accountability in healthcare.
The 1990s was a golden era, particularly for music. Inspired by Sidney Shaw's iconic question in the movie, Brown Sugar: "When did you fall in love with hip-hop?" – I had my moment, interviewing the OG, Butch Velez, AKA Tracer One, of Masta Plann.
California boasts numerous wine regions along its coast, including Napa Valley, Sonoma, Paso Robles, Lodi, and Temecula Valley, offering diverse tasting experiences. Consider these picks for your next dinner party, girls' trip, or romantic escape.
Learning Tagalog (Filipino) not only connects you to one of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant cultures—it also comes with real cognitive benefits. Here's a structured guide, ordered from the easiest to the most comprehensive methods.
Read More