Does Wales’ Rugby Success Predict the Death of a Pope?
Rugby, a popular sport in Wales, has been linked to an intriguing theory: the “papal rugby theory.” This theory suggests that when Wales wins a rugby grand slam (winning every match in the Six Nations Championship), the likelihood of a papal death increases.
The Urban Legend
An urban legend in Wales claims that every time Wales wins a rugby grand slam, a pope dies. However, researchers have found that this specific claim is not supported by the data.
The Special and General Theories of Papal Rugby
Researchers have developed two theories to explore the relationship between rugby and papal mortality:
- Special theory of papal rugby: When Wales wins a grand slam, the chance of a papal death in that year increases.
- General theory of papal rugby: When Wales performs particularly well (not necessarily winning a grand slam), the expected number of papal deaths increases.
The Research
Researchers analyzed data on rugby championships and papal deaths from 1883 to the present. They found that the special theory of papal rugby is not supported by the data. However, they did find a borderline significant association between Wales’ rugby wins and the number of papal deaths, supporting the general theory.
The Vatican’s Response
After Wales won the grand slam in 2007, researchers advised Vatican medical staff to be on guard until the end of 2008. However, the pope did not die during that time.
The Future of the Papal Rugby Theory
The papal rugby theory remains a topic of debate. Some researchers believe that it is a valid theory, while others argue that it is simply a coincidence. Further research is needed to determine whether there is a genuine link between Wales’ rugby success and papal mortality.
Additional Insights
- The researchers noted that two popes died in one year (1978), which happened to be the year of a Wales grand slam.
- The researchers emphasized that the general theory applies specifically to Wales’ rugby wins, and not to the wins of other teams.
- The papal rugby theory has sparked interest among both rugby fans and religious scholars.
Conclusion
The papal rugby theory is an intriguing hypothesis that has generated both fascination and controversy. While the specific claim that every Wales grand slam leads to a papal death has been debunked, the general theory that Wales’ rugby success may be linked to an increased likelihood of papal deaths remains a subject of ongoing research.