Quito - Described by the Ecuador Creative Dentistry Association as an absolute genius in the exploration and extraction of gaping cavities Ecuador's national oil company has been named as PR manager for the 115-man contest.
Announcing the decision a Vatican spokesperson said the College of Cardinals is especially impressed with Petroecuador's commitment to protecting endangered species, of which the Pope is a leading exemplar.
The contract will see attractive T shirts, sweat pants and bumper stickers promote leading contenders in the March Conclave bun fight.
The eventual winner will get a lifetime's free gas to power the new generation of Popemobiles currently rolling off a Galapagos Islands production line.
"Transportation and marketing of refined products is what these guys do best," a successor to Philippines' Cardinal Sin commented.
Raúl Eduardo Vela Chiriboga, septuagenarian Cardinal-Archbishop Emeritus of Quito, is current 2-1 FAV.
