Vatican City

Approximately 20 Delegates - Single Delegate

Welcome to the Vatican City Crisis Committee for ILMUNC XLI! Delegates will be thrust into the sacred and secretive process of electing the next pope. Representing influential cardinals, bishops, and key figures from around the world, participants must navigate a complex web of religious doctrine, political intrigue, and personal ambition. As the College of Cardinals gathers to select a leader for over a billion Catholics, unexpected crises and external pressures will challenge the integrity of the conclave. Will you find a consensus that preserves the Church's unity, or will deep divisions threaten its future? The eyes of the faithful and the world are upon you.

Dear Delegates,

Welcome to ILMUNC XLI! My name is Ryan Guber, and I am thrilled to be co-chairing Vatican City for this upcoming conference. This committee simulates the secretive and highly ritualistic conclave of the College of Cardinals, where representatives from around the world converge within the hallowed halls of the Vatican. The task at hand is monumental and steeped in tradition — electing a new leader for the Catholic Church in a time of unprecedented challenges and global scrutiny. As you all engage in intense debates and negotiations, you must navigate the intricate politics of the Vatican, balance the conservative and progressive factions within the Church, and ultimately come to a consensus on who will guide the faithful as the next Pope. I hope this will be a fun and rewarding addition to your Model UN journeys!

For some background on me, I am a junior from Greenwich, Connecticut. At Penn, I am in the Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology (M&T), a dual degree program wherein I study Finance and Entrepreneurship & Innovation in Wharton and Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering in the School of Engineering & Applied Science. Outside of ILMUNC, I am involved in Penn International Impact Consulting (PIIC), a consulting club for NGOs, social entrepreneurs, and nonprofits worldwide, a co-founder of Engineering Consultants at Penn (ECP), Vice President of my fraternity, a Board Member of the M&T Student Board, a member of Club Track and Tennis, as well as many other organizations!

I look forward to reading your position papers and welcoming you all to Philadelphia in January! Feel free to email me with any questions or to introduce yourself in advance of committee.

Ryan Guber

Chair, Vatican City

rguber@wharton.upenn.edu

Dear Delegates,

Welcome to ILMUNC XLI! My name is Lui Gardner, and I am honored to be co-chairing the Vatican City committee for this upcoming conference. This committee will simulate the secretive and intricate conclave of the College of Cardinals, where representatives from around the world gather within the revered halls of the Vatican. Our mission is both monumental and steeped in tradition—determining the legitimacy of two elected leaders of the Catholic Church during a time of unprecedented challenges and global scrutiny: the Western Schism of 1378. As you engage in intense debates and negotiations, you will navigate the complex politics of the Vatican and broader Europe, balance the warring factions within the Church, and ultimately reach a consensus on who will guide the faithful as the next Pope. The decisions made in this committee will have far-reaching and lasting implications, shaping the course of the modern era. I hope this experience will be a fulfilling and enriching part of your Model UN journey! 

A bit about myself: I am a junior from New Jersey, studying Economics and Psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences at Penn. Outside of ILMUNC, I work part-time at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School library, assisting patrons and supporting their legal research needs. I also have a passion for spending time with dogs, as I believe those small moments with them can bring immense joy. In my free time, I enjoy hiking and skiing, always eager to explore the outdoors. 

I look forward to reading your position papers and welcoming you all to Philadelphia in January! Please feel free to email me with any questions or to introduce yourself before the committee. 

Best regards,
Lui Gardner

Co-Chair, Vatican City

luigardner@gmail.com

Dear Delegates,

I am thrilled to welcome you to the Vatican City Crisis Committee of ILMUNC! My name is Abigail Soares, and I am a sophomore at Wharton, studying Business Economics and Public Policy (BEPP). As your crisis director, I look forward to pushing you beyond your comfort zone by challenging you to think critically on the spot, venture outside the box, and get your wheels turning in unexpected ways.

In this niche committee, we will delve into one of the most influential, yet often underestimated, institutions in history, Vatican City. As the smallest independent state in the world, the Vatican wields immense spiritual, political, and cultural power. This committee will test your ability to navigate the intricate dynamics of papal politics, where every decision carries the weight of potentially reshaping the future of the Church and the world. I am eager to see how you handle the pressures of modernism in a place where tradition has ruled for centuries, knowing that even lightest misstep can have profound consequences.

This committee will revolve around the election of a new Pope, a process steeped in tradition and secrecy. Cardinals from around the globe will converge, casting their votes in a solemn and sacred ritual. The stakes will be high as you navigate the pressures of diplomacy, personal ambition, and the ever-evolving role of the Church in an increasingly complex world. The balance of power within the Church is delicate—whether you choose to uphold or topple it, your actions will determine the course of history.

A little about me: I’m from Cincinnati, Ohio (go Bengals!), a coffee addict, and a music lover from ABBA to The Weeknd. I love exploring restaurants, traveling, and binging movies/TV shows like Shutter Island, Legally Blonde, and Brooklyn 99. On campus, I'm involved in INTERCOL, UPMUNC (our college conference!), Greek Life, and more. This is my second time working with ILMUNC and I can’t wait to see what you all come up with!

Ryan (your chair) and I are looking forward to working with you in the Vatican City Committee. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. We hope you have fun!

Best of Luck,
Abigail Soares

Crisis Director, Vatican City Crisis Committee