Vatican shenanigans

Paddy Power the bookmakers is offering 10,000 to one against Mother Bernadette Mary O'Connor, aka Sinead O'Connor, becoming the…

Paddy Power the bookmakers is offering 10,000 to one against Mother Bernadette Mary O'Connor, aka Sinead O'Connor, becoming the first woman Pope. Have they never heard of Pope Joan? According to sources, Pope Joan became Pontiff in 1100 but has been written out of history by male theologians and had her very existence questioned over the centuries. She died giving birth during a papal procession, much to the shock of the church hierarchy who had taken her for a man.

Steward Kenny says his bookmakers are being careful by offering 1,000-to-one on Mother Bernadette becoming a cardinal "under the rites of the Roman Catholic church". At the last papal election they were giving 5,000-to-one on the Pope being a woman. They may be shorter next time. Kenny admits Paddy Power, like A.N. Other, enjoys the publicity this sort of wheeze generates, and he is particularly proud of the fuss their odds on the Pope playing for Glasgow Rangers created. So far there has been only one taker for their latest scheme. Despite the odds, the punter risked a whole £1.