As the Catholic Church prepares for the highly anticipated Conclave 2025 to elect a new pope following the death of Pope Francis, a unique digital twist is capturing global attention — the Fantapapa game.
The online game, launched shortly after Pope Francis’ passing on April 21 at the age of 88, has already drawn nearly 60,000 participants, according to its creators.
Fantapapa is modeled after Italy’s beloved “Fantacalcio” (fantasy football), inviting players to create a dream team of 11 cardinals, complete with a “captain” (the most likely to be elected pope) and a “goalkeeper” (the least likely).
“People are intrigued by Vatican power dynamics,” said Pietro Pace, 42, one of the game’s co-creators.
“Playing allows them to try to get inside these dynamics and remove some of the mystery that shrouds them.”
Pace and fellow developer Mauro Vanetti crafted Fantapapa to combine Italy’s twin passions — football and the Catholic Church — offering a gamified peek into Vatican politics.
Vatican-Inspired Fantasy League Game Gains Momentum
As of Tuesday, the most selected cardinal was Matteo Zuppi, followed by Pietro Parolin, Luis Antonio Tagle, and Pierbattista Pizzaballa — aligning with bookmakers’ favorites.
However, unexpected choices have emerged among the top 10. Cardinal Fabio Baggio ranked seventh, possibly benefiting from his shared surname with football legend Roberto Baggio, according to Pace.
Meanwhile, Jose Advincula of the Philippines placed sixth — likely due to being alphabetically first, making him a quick selection for players finalizing their teams.
Mykola Bychok, the Ukrainian archbishop of Melbourne and the world’s youngest cardinal, is the leading choice for goalkeeper — suggesting most players believe he has the slimmest chance of becoming pope.
Predicting the Next Pope’s Identity
Players earn points by guessing various aspects of the future pope:
- Religious order
- Political leaning
- Native language
- Papal name
The top name predictions so far include Francis, John, Pius, Paul, and Leo.
Despite its popularity, Fantapapa offers no cash prize. Its creators — both outspoken critics of gambling — say winners will instead receive “eternal glory.”
“There’s no prize money,” said Pace.
“Winners will be granted eternal glory.”
The 2025 Conclave is set to begin on May 7, as the College of Cardinals gathers to choose the next leader of the Catholic Church.
