How to Play

The goal: rise from parish priest to Pope. Win the election in the Sistine ballot — or be cast out.

The career (6 rounds): Priest, then Bishop, then Cardinal. Each round you face an event and choose one deed. Everything you do feeds four virtues — Piety, Influence, Reputation, Support — leading to your Standing, your electability, is shown openly on every candidate.

Promotion: at each new act the worthy are elevated with distinction; the unready stumble on, scarred. Neglect the act's and the other elector's favored virtues at your peril.

Miracles & Grave Sin: pious deeds may be blessed with a miracle; worldly deeds may end in exposure and disgrace.

The Conclave: the doors are sealed. Every cardinal votes in secret. After each failed ballot the lowest-voted candidate is cast out and becomes an Elder, bound to endorse a survivor. Between ballots you make one move of intrigue — lobby, pray, smear, or spend Influence to buy a weaker rival's vote. When only two remain, a runoff decides it.

Good to know: hover (or tap) anything for details. Click a portrait for that cardinal's dossier. The Chronicle records the whole game. Your game autosaves — refresh safely.