The Brazilians were rooting for Sao Paulo's archbishop, Odilo Scherer, considered one of the front-runners.

BBC: New Pope election sparks Brazil-Argentina barbs

But while the names of Cardinals Scola and the Brazilian Odilo Scherer may be generating more headlines than others at this stage, there is far less certainty in predictions than there was eight years ago.

BBC: Pope conclave: Ponchos and prayers on St Peter's Square

The buzz swirled around Cardinal Angelo Scola, an Italian seen as favored by cardinals hoping to shake up the powerful Vatican bureaucracy, and Brazilian Cardinal Odilo Scherer, a favorite of Vatican-based insiders intent on preserving the status quo.

NPR: Cardinals Celebrate Mass Before Entering Conclave

The buzz in the papal stakes swirled around Cardinal Angelo Scola, an Italian seen as favored by cardinals hoping to shake up the powerful Vatican bureaucracy, and Brazilian Cardinal Odilo Scherer, a favorite of Vatican-based insiders intent on preserving the status quo.

NPR: Conclave To Elect Next Pope Opens Amid Uncertainty

Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet and Brazilian Cardinal Odilo Scherer round out Paddy Power's top five -- and though betting on the next pope is illegal in the U.S., the Irish bookmaker is offering 20-1 odds on Cardinal Timothy Dolan, America's top Catholic.

CNN: Gambling with God: Staking a wager on the next pope

Brazilian Cardinal Odilo Pedro Scherer, 63, shrugged off questions about whether this might be the moment for a Latin American pope, and whether he might be the man to take the role.

NPR: Brazil Papal Contender: Place Of Birth Irrelevant