Pope Simulator promises a ‘realistic’ depiction of life as the Supreme Pontiff

Put on your robe and wizard hat.

Did you ever say to yourself when you were young, “When I grow up I want to be the Pope?” No? Well here’s your big chance anyway, sort of: Pope Simulator, a new addition to the menagerie of weird, ultra-niche sims on PC that promises to immerse players in a “realistic” depiction of life as the Pontiff.

The game begins on Conclave day, when the College of Cardinals elects a new Pope – that’s you. You’ll begin your reign by choosing a coat of arms, which will apparently impact the course of your papacy, and from there you’ll set out to influence the course of the world through the application of “soft power”: Organising pilgrimages, advocating for world peace, moderating conflicts, and otherwise strategically wielding the influence of the Vatican.

“The Pope has no military or economic power behind him, but he has other means of influencing the world, which was evident in the 1980s, for example, when the communist system in Poland collapsed,” Ultimate Games CEO Mateusz Zawadzki said. “Our idea assumes the possibility to use, among others, the so-called soft power, and consequently influence the fate of the world and interfere in international politics. All this, of course, in accordance with the vision adopted by the player.”

You’ll set out to influence the course of the world through the application of “soft power”.