The Pope Watched ‘Conclave’ Before Voting Started

Pope Leo XIV is the first American ever to lead the Catholic Church. But before stepping into one of the most sacred roles on Earth, he was just a guy playing Wordle with his brother.

In a twist worthy of a Netflix drama, the new head of the Roman Catholic Church spent his final hours as a cardinal not in solemn retreat — but watching a movie and playing online games.

On May 8, history was made at the Vatican when Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago was elected Pope Leo XIV, becoming the first American ever chosen to lead the 1.3 billion-member global church. But according to his brother, John Prevost, the soon-to-be pontiff kept things unusually light-hearted before the high-stakes conclave.

“I asked him if he had his red socks ready,” John joked in an interview with NBC News. “He didn’t really answer that. But he did say he had just watched Conclave. So, I figured he was doing his homework.”

From Chicago to the Vatican

Born and raised in Chicago, the 69-year-old Pope Leo XIV was once a missionary in Peru and later served as Prefect for the Dicastery of Bishops — essentially overseeing the world’s bishops from inside the Vatican. He was also a close ally of Pope Francis, often seen as a bridge between traditional and reformist factions in the Church.

His roots are deeply American. He’s a fan of baseball, speaks fluent Spanish from his years in Latin America, and, apparently, starts his mornings like millions of Americans — by solving Wordle puzzles.

“First, we do Wordle. Then Words with Friends. That’s our thing,” said John. “It helped him clear his head.”

‘Conclave’ the Movie — Papal Prep, Hollywood Style

To prepare for the secretive process of papal selection, Prevost watched the 2024 thriller Conclave, which dramatizes the voting process with suspense, secrets, and even a murder subplot. The Oscar-winning film, starring Ralph Fiennes and Stanley Tucci, paints a tense picture of Vatican intrigue.

“Of course, Conclave is fiction,” John noted. “But Rob liked the way it captured the gravity of the moment — and the humanity of the cardinals.”

A Legacy Continued, A Future Reimagined

Pope Leo XIV succeeds Pope Francis, who died on April 21 after more than a decade of transformative leadership focused on climate action, LGBTQ inclusion, and economic justice. In his first address as pope, Leo paid tribute to his predecessor’s courage and humility.

“We still keep in our ears that weak but always courageous voice of Pope Francis blessing Rome,” he said in Italian to the crowd packed into St. Peter’s Square. “The Pope who blessed Rome gave his blessing to the world.”

The election was held over two days in the Sistine Chapel. A record 133 voting cardinals — all under the age of 80 — cast their ballots. The decisive moment came just after 6 p.m. on Thursday when white smoke rose from the chimney. Cheers erupted in the square. Less than 90 minutes later, the American pope emerged on the balcony.

The American Catholic Moment

For American Catholics, the election marks a cultural and spiritual milestone. While Catholics in the U.S. often feel divided between conservative and progressive visions for the Church, Pope Leo XIV’s election could signal a renewed focus on unity and reform.

“I think he’s ready,” said John. “He knows the weight of what this means. But underneath it all, he’s still the guy who laughs at my dad jokes and calls me when the Cubs win.”

With deep ties to both Latin America and the U.S., Pope Leo XIV is expected to champion themes familiar to American Democrats: immigration justice, social equity, and climate responsibility — while navigating the Vatican’s famously conservative corridors.

One thing’s certain: this pope is no stranger to the modern world. And sometimes, even holy men need a good game of Wordle to start the day.