Pope Leo XIV, also known as Robert Francis Prevost, has had a busy week. He got confirmed as the newest pope of the Catholic Church, for instance. But we’ve also learned that the Chicago native is a confirmed White Sox fan and a lover of America’s favorite word game: Wordle.
The 69-year-old appointee’s brother John Prevost, who still lives in Chicago, told local news station WGN that just before the white smoke that signifies a decision puffed out of the Vatican chimney, he was chatting with his brother on the phone. Yes, about the pressures and responsibility that would soon come onto his shoulders — but also about the New York Times Wordle puzzle of the day.
But Pope Leo isn’t just a fan of Wordle, a game that famously landed with folks across generations for its simplicity and rigor. John Prevost also said he and his brother Leo play Words With Friends, the digital Scrabble-like game that secured Zynga’s reign over Facebook games in the mid-2000s. John also shared that Leo said he was watching Conclave while waiting for the confirmation, which is silly in a way I thought the Roman Catholic Church would never be.
But my biggest question is what word Pope Leo XIV starts his Wordle games with each day. Or does he switch it up depending on his mood? What we do know is that Leo likely won’t be compelled to give up his daily Wordle runs with his brother — apparently popes are totally allowed to do leisure activities.
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