Italians play ‘Fantapapa' video game to choose their next pope
As about 135 cardinals prepare to elect the next pope, thousands of Italians are already doing the same in an online game.
Instead of placing bets on the next pontiff, 'Fantapapa' allows users to pick their favourite candidates for an 11-a-side team, playing on Italy's passion for football and the Church.
The free game, which mimics fantasy football leagues, was launched shortly after Pope Francis's death on April 21 and hit 60,000 users this week.
'People are intrigued by Vatican power dynamics,' Pietro Pace, one of the game's founders, said.
'Playing allows them to try to get inside these dynamics and remove some of the mystery that shrouds them,' he told AFP.
It asks players to choose a team of 11 cardinals, including a captain (the 'most papable' cardinal) and a goalkeeper (the least likely winner), providing an insight on users' favourite frontrunners.
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Scotsman
4 hours ago
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Goliath regains winning thread with La Coupe strike
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