New Pope Watches Conclave Movie, Plays Games While Awaiting Election

If you've ever been curious about what a prospective Pope does in his spare time, look no further; according to a close family member, the recently elected Pope Leo XIV shares our love for games and movies during his downtime.

As previously mentioned, Edward Berger's gripping papal thriller, Conclave, captivated audiences last year, leading some real-life religious figures—including those involved in this week's conclave to choose a new Pope—to seek inspiration from the film due to its "remarkably accurate" depiction of the process. This group included Robert Francis Prevost, who has now been elected as Pope Leo XIV.

Pope Leo XIV enjoys gaming in his free time. Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images.

In a recent interview with NBC, Pope Leo XIV's older brother, John Prevost, shared insights from their last conversation before Robert's papal appointment. Amidst discussions about their daily word game routines—yes, Pope Leo XIV is an avid gamer, playing Wordle and Words with Friends with his brother every day—John inquired if Robert had watched the movie Conclave for any useful tips.

"He had just finished watching the movie Conclave," John Prevost disclosed. "So he knew how to behave. We talk about things like that to take his mind off the upcoming conclave and share a laugh."

Directed by Edward Berger, the BAFTA and Oscar-winning film Conclave delves into one of the world's most secretive and ancient ceremonies—the election of a new Pope. Cardinal Lawrence, portrayed by Ralph Fiennes, is responsible for overseeing this clandestine procedure following the sudden demise of the beloved Pope. As the Catholic Church's most influential leaders convene from across the globe and are sequestered within the Vatican, Lawrence uncovers a conspiracy and a secret that threatens the very foundations of the Church.