
Following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, a new online game called Fantapapa has captured the imagination of nearly 60,000 users, blending Italians’ love of football and religion.
Created by AI expert Pietro Pace and game developer Mauro Vanetti, the game mirrors fantasy football (Fantacalcio), allowing players to draft a team of 11 cardinals.
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Users choose a captain (the most likely to become pope) and a goalkeeper (the least likely), offering insight into public opinion ahead of the real papal conclave on May 7.
Top picks so far include Cardinals Matteo Zuppi, Pietro Parolin, Luis Antonio Tagle, and Pierbattista Pizzaballa—aligning with bookmakers’ odds.
The game also lets players guess the new pope’s political stance, religious order, language, and future name, with Francis, John, and Leo being favourites. With no cash rewards, winners earn only “eternal glory” in line with the creators’ anti-gambling stance.
What do you make of this?
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