Vaticanews

Article from 6 or 7 Popes: the blog, posted 04/26/09

BULLETINS:

"Unlock the Secrets of How Men Become Pope" (All it takes are a few rolls of the dice)

If Oregon Trail II taught us anything (other than the details of everyday life on the Oregon Trail) it's that educational games based on the real-life struggles of other people are just more fun. Enter VATICAN The Board Game, a collection of cards, dice, and tiny paper cardinals which simulates the actual career challenges any papal hopeful must face to become elected. Virtually everything's included, from taking a stand on controversial issues to dealing with the complexities of an actual papal election process. Created in 2006 by Dr. Stephen Haliczer, a history professor, VATICAN has each of its players select a cardinal and then compete against each other for position on the board. Then, when the old Pope dies, players further compete against each other to be elected in his place. Sound like a complicated headache in a box? Well, nobody said becoming Pope was easy, but Dr. Haliczer says it can be fun.