Pope Leo XIV learns German on Duolingo in the early hours of the morning. The unique detail revealed by the Italian press
Photo: Pope Leon. Photo: Maria Grazia Picciarella / Zuma Press / Profimedia
Pope Leo XIV spends the first hours of the day, when he suffers from insomnia, learning German with the help of the popular “Duolingo” application, while continuing the tradition of playing word games online, especially with his brother, John Prevost, the EFE agency reports on Tuesday, according to Agerpres.
The information was revealed by the daily La Repubblica, which explained that a few weeks ago, users of the language learning platform noticed that at 03:00 a certain “Robert” was logging in with the username @drprevost, identical to the one used by the pontiff before he was elected pope.
The information was confirmed by the pope's brother, John Prevost, for the National Catholic Reporter (NCR). “I have no doubt, he is studying German,” he said of Leo XIV, who, in addition to his native English, is fluent in Spanish, Italian and French, as well as a little Portuguese.
Unlike Pope Francis, who did not love technology, Robert Francis Prevost, born in Chicago in the United States 70 years ago, uses a mobile phone and regularly communicates with friends and colleagues via email and WhatsApp.
He also spends a few minutes every night before bed playing “Wordle” and “Words With Friends” online, especially with his brother John Prevost, a good way to relax and keep in touch with family.
“He wakes up before six, but I know sometimes if he wakes up in the middle of the night, he's playing 'Words with Friends,' and I'm like, 'What are you doing playing this at 3 a.m.?'; 'I couldn't sleep,'” his brother explained to NCR.
A sports enthusiast, Pope Leo XIV also considered installing a small gym in the Apostolic Palace and his residence in Castel Gandolfo, according to media sources. On his days off, dad plays tennis and swims.
