Pope Leo XIV disclosed a personal habit to young American Catholics during a virtual session: he changes his Wordle start word each day. The revelation came as he discussed technology, social media, and artificial intelligence with participants at the National Catholic Youth Conference.

Pope Leo XIV Shares Wordle Strategy and Offers Advice on Digital Responsibility

In a videoconference with U.S. Catholic youth, Pope Leo XIV revealed his daily Wordle approach and spoke on balancing social media, video games, and artificial intelligence with real-life relationships. His guidance emphasized mindfulness and responsible use of technology.

Pontifical Wordle Secret

During a remote session from the Vatican, the Chicago-born pope engaged participants in Indianapolis via U.S. Catholic broadcaster EWTN. Early in the hour-long Q&A, he shared a closely held personal habit: changing his starting word in Wordle daily.

Wordle, the free online puzzle by The New York Times, challenges players to guess a five-letter word in six attempts. Millions of users worldwide play daily. Pope Leo’s brother, John Prevost, previously noted that Leo often compares scores with family and friends.

“ I use a different word for Wordle every day, so there’s no set starting word,” the pope said, eliciting smiles from the audience.

Technology and Youth Engagement

Following the playful revelation, Pope Leo addressed prepared questions on technology’s impact on young people. He acknowledged that social media can help maintain connections and even strengthen faith.

However, the pope cautioned that online interactions cannot replace human relationships. He encouraged youth to set intentional limits on screen time and prioritize meaningful offline engagement.

Learning from St. Carlo Acutis

Leo highlighted St. Carlo Acutis, a teenage Catholic influencer canonized earlier this year. Acutis deliberately limited screen time to ensure video games did not dominate his daily schedule.

“ I encourage you to follow the example of Carlo Acutis,” Pope Leo said. “Be intentional with your screen time. Make sure technology serves your life and not the other way around.”

Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence was another key topic during the session. Pope Leo described AI as a powerful tool that can process information quickly but cannot replace human intelligence. He emphasized that young people must use it responsibly without compromising their development or decision-making skills.

“ Using AI responsibly means using it in ways that help you grow,” the pope said. “And don’t ask it to do your homework for you,” he added, prompting laughter among participants.

The pope underscored that technology and AI should support learning and personal growth, not replace critical thinking or human judgment.

Balancing Faith and Digital Life

Throughout the discussion, Pope Leo encouraged youth to integrate technology into their lives thoughtfully, using it as a tool rather than a distraction. He emphasized moderation, reflection, and prioritizing real-life connections alongside digital engagement.

The session provided a rare glimpse into the pope’s daily routines and personal habits, demonstrating how even global religious leaders navigate the challenges of modern technology.

Conclusion

Pope Leo XIV’s candid discussion with young Catholics combined personal insights with practical guidance on digital responsibility. By sharing his Wordle habit and lessons on social media and AI, he modeled a balanced approach to technology, faith, and human connection.

Source: AP News – Pontifical secret revealed: Pope Leo XIV changes his Wordle start word each day

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