# Predict when we'll have a new pope! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 30, 2003, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-when-well-have-a-new-pope/204766 "2003-09-30T20:41:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2003, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-when-well-have-a-new-pope/204766/1 "2003-09-30T20:41:13Z")
According to [reports](http://www.msnbc.com/news/973011.asp?vts=093020031305) out of the Vatican, the Pope isn’t doing so well. From what I understand, when the V’s issuing official statements regarding the Pope’s ill health, it must be serious. So, at risk of offending Catholics, or anyone else offendedby a death pool in general, I won’t start a poll on when John Paul II will die; rather I’m starting a New Pope Pool. When do you think we will have a new pope? Take your best shot. For contest purposes, the “official” winning day is the day the elected indiviual chooses his papal name and it is announced to the world. Finally, [a little background on the Conclave.](http://www.catholic.net/RCC/Periodicals/Inside/04-96/CONCLAVE.html) My guess: **Nov. 1.** Happy ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2003, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-when-well-have-a-new-pope/204766/2 "2003-09-30T20:46:44Z")
Nah. I think JPII’s going to hold on for at least another month. So I’ll say December 8, there will be a new pope. I also think this one will be at least as conservative as JPII. And I’m Catholic, BTW. ---
**Author:** ![SnoopyFan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d07c76/32.png) [@SnoopyFan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnoopyFan)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2003, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-when-well-have-a-new-pope/204766/3 "2003-09-30T21:20:28Z")
IANACatholic. We’ll have a new pope sometime early next year. And he will be as conservative as JP2. I also think that the next pope is going to be more into the whole Christian unity “hey, the protestants are God’s people too” thing as well. Should be interesting. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2003, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-when-well-have-a-new-pope/204766/4 "2003-09-30T21:22:17Z")
February 11. SnoopyFan, that wouldn’t be conservative. JPII is quite liberal for a pope. I guessing he’ll be very conservative, on the side of “Vatican II was a bad idea”. ---
**Author:** ![SlickRoenick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@SlickRoenick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlickRoenick)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2003, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-when-well-have-a-new-pope/204766/5 "2003-10-01T06:22:13Z")
When the current one dies. 😛 I’m going hell aren’t i?☹ ---
**Author:** ![threeorange](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@threeorange](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/threeorange)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2003, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-when-well-have-a-new-pope/204766/6 "2003-10-01T15:50:31Z")
Some time in the 21st century. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2003, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-when-well-have-a-new-pope/204766/7 "2003-10-01T16:20:40Z")
After either the Cubs or the Red Sox win the World Series. So either November or in a few more decades. ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2003, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-when-well-have-a-new-pope/204766/8 "2003-10-01T16:27:50Z")
Oct 15. ---
**Author:** ![Jello](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f05b48/32.png) [@Jello](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jello)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2003, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-when-well-have-a-new-pope/204766/9 "2003-10-01T22:57:08Z")
January 18