New Pope Watches 'Conclave' Movie, Plays Games While Awaiting Election

If you've ever been curious about how a prospective Pope spends his leisure time, wonder no more. According to a close family member, the recently elected Pope Leo XIV, formerly known as Robert Francis Prevost, enjoys activities just like 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. The film's remarkably accurate depiction of the papal selection process has even influenced real-life religious leaders, including those involved in the recent conclave to choose Pope Leo XIV. The movie's realistic portrayal led some to seek guidance from it, highlighting its impact on those within the Church.

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

In an interview with NBC, Pope Leo XIV's older brother, John Prevost, shared insights from their last conversation before Robert's appointment. Amid discussions about popular word games like Wordle and Words with Friends, which they play together daily, John inquired if his brother had watched Conclave for any helpful 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."