Saturday, November 20, 2010

Polish board game celebrates the extensive travels of late Pope John Paul II

Poles have a new way to remember the late Pope John Paul II: a board game that celebrates the Polish-born pontiff's extensive travels.

Marek Oczkowski, head of the Polish Board Games publisher, said Wednesday the game was released in October to mark the 32nd anniversary of John Paul's election and already has sold several hundred copies.

The 69 zloty ($24) game — "Around the World with John Paul II" — is designed for between two and four players.

A roll of the dice takes them around the 130 countries where the pope travelled — among them the Italian Alps, which he visited for clandestine skiing trips. 

As they land at the places John Paul visited, players collect cards with information on them and the messages he took there.

John Paul died in April 2005.

SIC: CP/INT'L