New Pope Watches Conclave Movie, Plays Games While Awaiting Conclave

If you've ever been curious about how a future Pope spends his leisure time, the answer might surprise you. According to a close family member, the recently elected Pope Leo XIV, formerly known as Robert Francis Prevost, enjoys activities that many of us can relate to—playing games and watching movies during his downtime.

As we reported earlier this week, Edward Berger's gripping papal thriller, Conclave, captivated audiences last year. The film's realistic depiction of the papal selection process drew the attention of real-life religious leaders, including those who participated in this week's actual conclave to elect a new Pope. Among them was Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV.

Pope Leo XIV, a surprising gamer. 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 the conclave. They discussed their daily ritual of playing word games like Wordle and Words with Friends together, highlighting the Pope's unexpected hobby as a gamer. John also inquired if his brother had watched Conclave for any useful tips.

"He had just finished watching the movie Conclave," John Prevost 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, portrayed by Ralph Fiennes, who is responsible for overseeing the clandestine process following the unexpected death of the beloved Pope. As the Catholic Church's most influential leaders gather from around the globe and are confined within the Vatican, Cardinal Lawrence uncovers a conspiracy and a secret that threatens to undermine the very foundation of the Church.