Ever wondered how a prospective Pope spends his free time? Well, wonder no more. According to a close family member, the newly elected Pope Leo XIV enjoys the same pastimes as many of us—playing games and watching movies during his downtime.
As previously reported, Edward Berger's gripping papal thriller, Conclave, captivated audiences last year. Its "remarkably accurate" depiction of the papal election process even caught the attention of real-life religious leaders, including those who participated in the recent conclave to select the new Pope. Among them was Robert Francis Prevost, now elected as Pope Leo XIV.
Pope Leo XIV is a gamer, it turns out. Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images.
In an interview with NBC, Pope Leo XIV's older brother, John Prevost, shared insights from their last conversation before his brother's appointment. Amid discussions about their daily word game sessions—Wordle and Words with Friends—John asked if Robert had watched the movie Conclave for any tips.
"He *had* just finished watching the movie Conclave," John revealed. "So he knew how to behave. So, it's that kind of stuff [that we talk about]—I just wanted to take his mind off of [the upcoming conclave]. Laugh about something."
Directed by Edward Berger, the BAFTA and Oscar-winning film Conclave delves into one of the world's most secretive and ancient events—the selection of a new Pope. The story follows Cardinal Lawrence (played by Ralph Fiennes), who is tasked with overseeing this covert process following the unexpected death of the beloved Pope. As the Catholic Church's most influential leaders gather from around the globe and are sequestered within the Vatican's halls, Lawrence uncovers a conspiracy and a secret that could threaten the very foundation of The Church.
