New Pope Watches Conclave Movie, Plays Games While Awaiting Election

If you've ever been curious about how a prospective Pope spends his free time, you're in for a surprise. According to a close family member, the newly elected Pope Leo XIV enjoys leisure activities just like the rest of us, indulging in gaming and movie-watching during his downtime.

As we highlighted earlier this week, Edward Berger's gripping papal thriller, Conclave, captivated audiences last year. Its impact was so profound that it influenced real-life religious leaders, including those involved in the recent conclave to elect a new Pope. They turned to the film for guidance, impressed by its "remarkably accurate" depiction of the papal election process. Among these leaders was Robert Francis Prevost, now known as Pope Leo XIV.

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

In a conversation with NBC, Pope Leo XIV's older brother, John Prevost, shared insights from their last chat before Robert's papal appointment. Amid discussions about their daily games of Wordle and Words with Friends, John asked if his brother had watched Conclave for any useful 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."

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 (Ralph Fiennes), who is responsible for overseeing this clandestine process following the sudden death of the beloved Pope. As the Catholic Church's most influential leaders gather from across the globe and are secluded within the Vatican, Cardinal Lawrence uncovers a conspiracy and a secret that threatens to undermine the very foundations of The Church.