New Pope Watches Conclave Movie, Plays Games While Awaiting Conclave

Pope Leo XIV, the newly elected head of the Catholic Church, may carry immense responsibility, but according to a close family member, his downtime activities are surprisingly relatable. Far from being consumed solely by spiritual matters, Pope Leo XIV enjoys simple pleasures like playing games and watching movies during his leisure time.

This revelation comes in the wake of the widespread cultural impact of Edward Berger’s gripping papal drama Conclave, which captivated audiences last year with its intense depiction of the secretive process behind selecting a new Pope. Interestingly, some real-life religious leaders who participated in this week’s actual conclave reportedly turned to the film for insights, praising its “remarkably accurate” portrayal of the event — including Robert Francis Prevost, now known as Pope Leo XIV.

Pope Leo XIV is a gamer, it turns out. Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images.

In a revealing conversation shared with NBC, Pope Leo XIV’s older brother, John Prevost, offered a glimpse into their final discussion before the election. The two bonded over daily word games like Wordle and Words with Friends — yes, Pope Leo XIV is a regular gamer, and he plays these puzzles with his brother every day.

During their chat, Prevost asked if his brother had watched Conclave for guidance ahead of the conclave. “He had just finished watching the movie Conclave,” Provost said. “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 history’s most enigmatic traditions — the selection of a new Pope. In the movie, Cardinal Lawrence (played by Ralph Fiennes) must lead the clandestine process following the sudden death of a beloved Pope. As the world’s most influential church leaders gather behind closed doors in Vatican City, Lawrence becomes entangled in a dangerous conspiracy that threatens to upend the very core of the Church.