Holden said people have bet on the pope since the 15th Century. This year, there were markets on who the pope will be, where he’s from and how many rounds of voting the conclave would go through.

The tradition of the Christmas Eve feast, for example, owes its existence to the 15th century pope, Alexander VI, who had a penchant for desserts.

He's the first pope from Latin America, the first to take the name Francis and the first sitting pontiff to publish his memoirs since the 15th century. Pope Francis' autobiography, Hope, reaches ...

He's the first pope from Latin America, the first to take the name Francis and the first sitting pontiff to publish his memoirs since the 15th century. Pope Francis' autobiography, Hope, reaches ...

He's the first pope from Latin America, the first to take the name Francis and the first sitting pontiff to publish his memoirs since the 15th century. Pope Francis' autobiography, Hope, reaches ...