Users across Italy massively engaging in an online game, aiming to become the next Pope
λ Orb: The Papal Guessing Game Sweeping Italy
Hey there! Have you heard about the captivating game taking Italy by storm? It's called λ Orb, and it's a lively spin on fantasy sports leagues! Thousands of Italians are diving headfirst into this online sensation, amassing a whopping 58,000 users since its debut shortly after the passing of Pope Francis in April 2025.
The premise of λ Orb is simple yet engaging: assemble a team of 11 papal candidates and score points based on their media exposure and ultimately, their election. Points are even awarded if you guess the new pope's chosen name correctly, adding that extra layer of excitement!
Originally conceived in February when Pope Francis made a hospital visit, λ Orb was brought to life by Pietro Pace, an expert in AI architecture at Microsoft, and Mauro Vanetti, a seasoned video game developer. The duo launched the game online shortly after Pope Francis's passing on April 21, 2025.
According to Pietro Pace, the game is purely for fun with no prizes at stake.
Betting on the Holy See
While betting on the conclave isn't strictly illegal in Italy, it's generally discouraged. As acknowledged by Nicola Tani, head of the specialist media outlet Agipronews, Italy’s Customs Agency, responsible for authorizing bets, has unofficially advised licensed gaming operators to refrain from offering odds on the election of the pope, much like political elections.
Globally, betting companies are taking advantage of this unique event, classifying papal bets under the novelty category of one-time events that can't be assessed using traditional statistics or sporting form. Total bets placed for the papacy have been relatively modest compared to other events.
On Polymarket, a blockchain-based prediction market, the "Who will be the next Pope?" market has generated a $10 million total volume. Conversely, a possible Federal Reserve decision on US interest rates in May has garnered nearly $30 million in wagers.
As for the betting favorites, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi (Archbishop of Bologna) is making waves, with supporters believing he's currently the frontrunner. Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines), poised to become the first Asian Pope in history, and Peter Turkson (Ghana), poised to be the first Black pope in modern times, follow closely behind.
Stay glued to your screens as more predictions unfold in this exciting game of papal prizes!
- The captivating game λ Orb has garnered significant attention, particularly in Italy, with an impressive 58,000 users participating since its launch following the passing of Pope Francis in April 2025.
- Pioneered by AI expert Pietro Pace and video game developer Mauro Vanetti, λ Orb is a unique blend of fantasy sports leagues and social-media, allowing players to assemble teams of papal candidates and score points based on media exposure and election outcomes.
- Intriguingly, while betting on the conclave isn't strictly illegal in Italy, licensed gaming operators have been advised by the Customs Agency to refrain from offering odds on the election of the pope.
- On the other hand, global betting companies are capitalizing on this unique event, classifying papal bets under the novelty category, with figures like Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, Luis Antonio Tagle, and Peter Turkson being among the favorites for the papal throne.
