Fantapapa Online Game Engages 60,000 Players in Pope Election Speculation

With the upcoming papal conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis, fantasy-style online games have surged in popularity among Italians and younger audiences globally. In Italy, where betting on the next pope is discouraged, the game 'Fantapapa' lets players draft teams of cardinal candidates and earn points for media mentions and accurate predictions, reflecting widespread engagement but avoiding monetary rewards. Meanwhile, on TikTok, a Fantasy Pope League has gone viral, with thousands of users joining to draft cardinals and score points based on voting outcomes, echoing the format of fantasy football. Both platforms reveal Cardinal Matteo Zuppi as a favored candidate, with others like Pietro Parolin and Luis Antonio Tagle also leading among participants. The games have become a cultural phenomenon, attracting diverse players and mirroring real-life intrigue about whether the next pope will continue Francis’ progressive legacy. These initiatives highlight how digital communities are blending religious events with popular gaming formats, fueling both speculation and social commentary.