Among the candidates vying to become pope, Danny Kind stands out as an unlikely contender. Sporting green-tinted shaggy hair and a Korn band T-shirt beneath his ceremonial robes, he defies traditional expectations.
"I'm an Ashkenazi Jew from Orlando, so I'm not Catholic," he acknowledged with a smile.
However, such details pose no barrier in a University of Chicago course titled “The Italian Renaissance: Dante, Machiavelli, and the Wars of Popes and Kings,” colloquially known as “pope class” or “pope LARP” (live-action role play). The course’s highlight is a detailed simulation of the 1492 papal conclave, historically marked by scandal, bribery, and political intrigue.
This year marks the 15th iteration of the simulation led by Professor Ada Palmer. Uniquely, the exercise coincided with the death of the real Pope Francis on April 21, the very day students were to cast their votes.
On that day, participants gathered inside the Gothic Revival Rockefeller Chapel, which serves as a stand-in for the Sistine Chapel, carrying the weight of their decisions with a surreal intensity.
Joseph DePaula, a 21-year-old third-year student and returning volunteer, reflected, "Being Catholic myself, it was a bit tough, but the atmosphere was electric."
When Danny Kind, portraying Cardinal Ascanio Sforza, was elected pope on the fifth ballot, volunteers celebrated by waving white flags from a balcony, symbolizing the white smoke traditionally signaling a new pope’s selection.
Professor Palmer, who is both a historian and novelist, likens the course to a history immersion program. Beyond memorizing facts, it teaches "plural power," the idea that everyone involved holds influence, even if no single individual fully controls the outcome.
She explained, "In this simulation, everyone wields power but no one has absolute control. Even the most influential figures often fail to achieve their desired results, while those with less power can still shape events through determined effort."
As the simulation neared its conclusion, some students found it challenging to separate their real identities from their 15th-century roles.
Elsa Cukierman, who played nobleman Franceschetto Cybo, recounted accidentally calling her boyfriend by her character’s wife’s name. Others responded urgently to rumors of betrayal from their phones, even while at nightclubs.
Julia Morales, portraying Lucrezia Borgia, said, "We didn’t eat or talk about anything else—it was just pope, pope, pope." She even painted her nails baby blue to match her character’s gown.
Emily Curran, dressed as Cardinal Ardicino della Porta Jr., a rival to the Borgias, added, "We’re good friends, but we haven’t been able to hang out without discussing pope class nonstop."
On April 30, the final day, students buzzed with anticipation as they sifted through costume racks accumulated over the years from Renaissance fairs and the BBC’s costume department. Professor Palmer keeps alerts active on platforms like Etsy and eBay for secondhand Shakespearean attire.
The simulated pope commenced the session with a moment of silence. In a lively moment, he enthusiastically approved a petition granting an Italian cardinal authority over a town in Bologna.
Suddenly, a duel erupted between Michael Tarchaniota Marullus and Pandolfo IV Malatesta. The pope then dramatically shed his robes to challenge Cesare Borgia to a duel, who promptly surrendered to the pope’s apparent dismay.
Historically, the 1492 conclave resulted in Rodrigo Borgia’s election as Pope Alexander VI, an event so entangled with bribery it led to reforms against simony—the buying and selling of church offices.
Yet, Professor Palmer emphasizes that the class is a simulation, not a strict reenactment. Students embody mostly historical figures but are free to make their own choices.
This freedom led to the 2025 election of Ascanio Sforza as Pope Ambrose—a historical figure elevated to a fictional papacy.
The recent popularity of the film “Conclave” heightened the simulation’s relevance. One group attended a screening dressed as cardinals, borrowing costumes from Professor Palmer. Regarding the real-world conclave in Rome, several participants expressed support for Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle from the Philippines, often nicknamed the “Asian Francis.”
As the simulation concluded, students hastily completed their characters’ objectives, buying art and arranging marriages, before removing their costumes for a final debrief where secrets and strategies were revealed.
The atmosphere lightened as Cesare Borgia appeared with a skateboard, Danny Kind played a playlist featuring Joy Division and Modest Mouse, and others dressed as gods and angels shared Oreos.
For Danny Kind, being elected Pope Ambrose was the fulfillment of a long-held ambition. Inspired by a high school teacher, he wrote his university admission essay about joining this course. Just before the vote, he kissed his grandfather’s silver mezuzah pendant, worn around his neck.
Professor Palmer noted that this is not the first time the course has featured a non-Catholic pope; previous iterations included Jewish, Muslim, and transgender popes. "So far, we’ve yet to have a Catholic pope," she remarked.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Kind recounted his transition from cardinal to pope, describing the experience as nearly intoxicating. "Last Monday, I even excommunicated someone," he said. Given the real-world events outside campus, it was difficult not to consider the weight of genuine authority.
"As far as I know, I’m the only person in the world claiming to be pope right now," Kind said with a grin. "Technically, that makes me pope."
