Inside Pope Leo XIV’s Wordle and ‘Conclave’ Prep Before Historic Election
Plot twist: the freshly minted Pope Leo XIV’s pre-election prep involved mastering Wordle puzzles and binge-watching the drama series Conclave on loop. According to TMZ, in the days leading up to the white smoke over the Sistine Chapel, the former Cardinal—now the first U.S. pontiff—kept a daily Wordle streak alive, logging in each morning to crack the five-letter code before dawn prayers. Vatican News confirms his habit wasn’t just casual fun but a brief mental reset between meetings with cardinals.
While most papal hopefuls stick to theological texts, Leo XIV reportedly dove into Conclave, the scripted thriller about a backroom power struggle in Rome, to “get in the zone,” as an insider told People Magazine. He’d queue up a couple of episodes in the evening, apparently fascinated by the show’s portrayal of voting blocs and secret alliances. Sound familiar? It’s like he was doing advanced scouting, only with popcorn instead of prayer beads.
News outlets point out that blending pop culture with centuries-old ritual isn’t totally new—Pope Francis once joked about streaming Netflix—but Leo XIV’s routine is next level. Sources at CNN noted that his Wordle average was a surprisingly low three guesses, putting him in the top echelon of casual puzzle-solvers. Meanwhile, Vatican watchers on VaticanNews.va spotted him discussing key plot twists from Conclave with aides, reportedly using show insights to navigate real-life conclave dynamics.
Experts say this lighthearted approach helped him stay grounded. The Jesuit-trained cardinal, known for his relaxed demeanor during press conferences, seemed unfazed by the historic weight of being America’s first pope. Playing Wordle may sound trivial, but it’s proving to be a surprisingly handy icebreaker when building consensus among 120 electors. And after four seasons of Conclave, he at least had a playbook for dramatic twists—whether on screen or in real life.
Critics will say it’s gimmicky, but fans love the relatability. Social feeds exploded when someone posted a screenshot of Leo XIV’s 10-day Wordle win streak (archived on Twitter by @VaticanViews). Others are already comparing his binge habits to past pontiffs’ reading lists. One thing’s for sure: his mix of streaming marathons and mobile puzzles has become part of the narrative around this historic election.
Anyway, that’s the vibe. Take it or leave it, but our new Pope’s got game—on and off the digital grid.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and TMZ, Vatican News, People Magazine, CNN
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
