The death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2024, has initiated a conclave of cardinals in the Vatican, tasked with choosing his successor. This process has captured the attention of both the faithful and the media, including the Spanish channel Cuatro, which has approached the topic from a humorous perspective. In its coverage, Cuatro has used clips from the popular video game Dark Souls 3 to compare the papal election with the epic battles presented in the game.
In a segment of their programming, a player, dressed in the Archdeacon’s armor, faces the boss Pontiff Sulyvahn, the self-proclaimed ruler of Irithyll of the Boreal Valley. The analogies between the struggle to defeat a mythical boss and the contest for the throne of Saint Peter have been presented entertainingly, suggesting that cardinals might need to demonstrate their skills in a video game environment to obtain the highest position in the Catholic Church.
A rather peculiar comparison
In addition, prediction markets in Italy have begun to come alive, speculating on who will be the next Pope, creating a betting atmosphere around this significant event. According to representatives from Cuatro, the coverage has been described as light and more entertainment-oriented than serious analysis, with elements like a version of Papal Football.
However, between joke and reality, some enthusiasts argue that to attain the papacy it would be imperative, even in a figurative sense, to surpass Sulyvahn. This presents a fun and critical view of the conclave, sparking a debate on how the institution is perceived in an increasingly entertainment-driven and digital culture contemporary context.
