What Pope Leo XIV does when idle will surprise you: The relatable side of the newly elected pope that’s melting hearts

As white smoke curled into the Roman sky on May 8, signaling the election of a new pontiff, the world collectively held its breath. Moments later, 69-year-old Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost stepped onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, greeted the crowd, and became Pope Leo XIV—making history as the first American-born leader of the Roman Catholic Church. But behind the grandeur of his new role lies an unexpectedly relatable side that has left many around the globe in awe.

Because when Pope Leo isn’t guiding over a billion Catholics or deliberating on matters of faith, he’s doing something astonishingly... ordinary.

From Chicago to the Vatican—and Still Playing Wordle

In the swirl of global headlines about his groundbreaking election, it was a humble interview with his older brother, John Prevost, that added an intimate, surprising twist to the story. A retired Catholic school principal, John offered a peek into the quiet, everyday moments the two brothers still share—moments that have delighted and astonished social media users worldwide.

“First we do Wordle,” John told NBC News with a smile. “Then we do Words With Friends. It’s something to keep his mind off life in the real world.”

Yes, you read that right. The newly elected Pope Leo XIV, the 267th pontiff in the line of St. Peter, plays daily word games to unwind—just like millions of people scrolling their phones on their coffee breaks or before bed.

Pontiff, Priest… and Movie Buff?

But the relatable streak doesn’t end at vocabulary puzzles. Apparently, Pope Leo had even watched The Conclave, a film about papal elections, shortly before his own. His brother recalled joking with him: “Did you watch the movie Conclave so you know how to behave?” Turns out, the answer was yes.

Far from being a figure locked away in age-old ritual, Pope Leo seems to be embracing both the modern world and his monumental new responsibility with grounded humanity.

"I Just Thought the Pope Was... Singular"

As the news spread, reactions poured in from people touched—and even a little shocked—by the humanity behind the robes. One Reddit user confessed, “I may sound really dumb but this video made me realize that the Pope has family… I just always thought of the Pope as one singular being.”

Another added, “It’s wild his bro is over here just living in suburbia.” Many expressed comfort and joy in seeing “the human side of the new pope,” finding it reassuring to know that even the most revered figures in the world still enjoy games, laughs, and conversations with siblings.

A Teenage Driver with a Calling

Digging deeper into Pope Leo’s life, John also reminisced about their youth. Robert, he said, loved driving as a teenager and frequently played “priest” as a child—perhaps a divine hint at what was to come. Yet even on the day of his election, the family found out in the same way millions did: watching television, stunned as his name was called from the balcony.

“Shock. Disbelief. A whole lot of pride,” John said, recalling the moment. “Now what are we gonna do? Because this is an awesome responsibility that he has to live up to—and maybe us too.”

Rooted in Service, Poised for Change

If Pope Leo XIV seems unusually down-to-earth, it may be because his pastoral spirit is deeply rooted in real-world service. Having spent decades in Peru as a missionary, he shares Pope Francis’ commitment to uplifting the poor, the marginalized, and the forgotten. His brother believes this kinship in values will shape his papacy in meaningful ways.

In an age where leadership is often weighed down by aloofness, Pope Leo’s affinity for word games, casual banter, and cinematic prep speaks volumes. It’s a reminder that even the most powerful religious figure on Earth is, at heart, just human.

So, the next time you’re matching tiles in Words With Friends or trying to guess today’s five-letter word, pause for a moment—you might just be playing the same game as the Pope.