What Did the New Pope Do While Waiting for the Conclave? He Watched the Conclave Movie, of Course — Oh, and It Turns Out He's a Gamer

If you've ever been curious about what a prospective Pope does in their downtime, you might be surprised to learn that the recently elected Pope Leo XIV, formerly Robert Francis Prevost, enjoys activities just like many of us. According to his older brother, John Prevost, in an interview with NBC, the Pope spends his leisure time playing games and watching movies.

This week, Edward Berger's gripping papal thriller, Conclave, has been a topic of discussion, especially among religious leaders who participated in the actual conclave to select a new Pope. The film, praised for its "remarkably accurate" portrayal of the papal selection process, has even been used as a reference by some of these leaders. Pope Leo XIV himself watched Conclave before his appointment, seeking guidance from its depiction of the conclave proceedings.

Pope Leo XIV, a surprising gamer. Photo by Christopher Furlong / Getty Images.

John Prevost shared insights into his last conversation with his brother before the conclave, revealing that they discuss daily word games like Wordle and Words with Friends. This shows that Pope Leo XIV is not only a religious leader but also a dedicated gamer, connecting with his brother through these shared hobbies.

"He had just finished watching the movie Conclave," John Prevost told NBC. "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, portrayed by Ralph Fiennes, as he navigates the covert process following the unexpected death of the beloved Pope. As the Catholic Church's most influential leaders gather in the Vatican, Cardinal Lawrence uncovers a conspiracy and a secret that could shake the foundations of The Church.