New Pope Watches Conclave Movie, Plays Games While Awaiting Conclave

If you've ever been curious about how a future 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 games and movies during his downtime.

As we previously reported, Edward Berger's gripping papal thriller, Conclave, captivated audiences last year. Its "remarkably accurate" depiction of the papal selection process drew the attention of real-life religious figures, including those involved in the recent conclave to elect a new Pope. Among them was Robert Francis Prevost, now known as Pope Leo XIV.

Pope Leo XIV, a gamer at heart. Photo by Christopher Furlong/Gett[ttpp]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 their daily games of Wordle and Words with Friends, John inquired if his brother had sought inspiration from the movie Conclave.

"He had just finished watching the movie Conclave," John revealed. "So he knew how to behave. We talk about that kind of stuff—I just wanted to take his mind off the upcoming conclave and share a 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 rituals—the election of a new Pope. The story follows Cardinal Lawrence, portrayed by Ralph Fiennes, who oversees the process following the sudden demise of the beloved Pope. As the Church's top leaders convene from across the globe and are sequestered within the Vatican, Cardinal Lawrence uncovers a conspiracy and a secret that threatens the very core of the Church.