Did you know that the first American Pope Leo XIV might have a better Wordle streak than you? On May 8, 2025, something amazing happened in the Catholic Church. A new pope was chosen. His name is Pope Leo XIV, and he is very different from any pope we’ve seen before.
Not only is he the first American pope in history, but he might also be the first pope who loves video games.
Pope Leo XIV was born in Chicago, USA, and his real name is Robert Francis Prevost. After just two days of voting during the secret papal meeting called the conclave, cardinals selected him as the new leader of the Catholic Church. But soon after this news came out, something else caught people’s attention—he plays games like Wordle and Words With Friends almost every day!
The Gamer Side of Pope Leo XIV
Right after the announcement, as per Kotaku.com reports, NBC Chicago spoke to his older brother, John Prevost, about what it’s like to have your younger brother become pope. During the interview, John shared a very unexpected detail—the Pope is a big fan of Wordle.
“First we do Wordle—because this is a regular thing—then we do Words With Friends,” said John Prevost.
This is not just a one-time thing. According to his brother, Pope Leo XIV plays these games daily, even during very serious times in his life. In fact, he played these games right before the conclave, the private meeting where popes are elected.
Playing Wordle may seem like a small thing, but it shows that Pope Leo XIV is fun, modern, and relatable. He knows how to keep his mind calm and stay grounded—just like regular people do when they want a break from stress.
He Watched a Movie About the Conclave Before the Real One
Here’s another fun fact: Pope Leo XIV watched the movie Conclave before going into the real conclave.
“I asked him, ‘Did you watch the movie Conclave so you know how to behave?’ And he said yes, he had just finished watching it,” his brother said.
That’s actually pretty funny and shows that the new pope has a good sense of humor too!
Not Your Average Pope
Even though Wordle and Words With Friends are not as intense as games like Grand Theft Auto or Call of Duty, it’s still interesting to know that a religious leader is playing games that millions of people enjoy every day.
While previous popes might have read books or written letters during their free time, Pope Leo XIV prefers puzzles and games on his phone. That’s why many people are calling him the “first gamer pope” in history.
A New Kind of Leader for a New Generation
Pope Leo XIV is already making headlines not just for being the first American pope, but also for being someone who understands modern life. In a world where young people are always connected to their phones and games, having a pope who enjoys the same things makes him more relatable.
This small detail—his love for games—might seem unimportant, but it actually shows us something bigger. It tells us that this pope is someone who lives in the real world, who likes to laugh, relax, and stay connected with his family, even when he is about to take on one of the biggest jobs in the world.
