The Surprising Catholic Origin of Wordle: A Game Born from Love and Legacy
To the world, he is Pope Leo XIV. The first American-born pontiff. A prophetic sign. A quiet reformer with the weight of the Church on his shoulders.
But to his brothers, he’s still the kid from Chicago. And every night, when the mitre comes off and the cameras are gone, he checks his phone—not for politics or press—but to see how his family did on today’s Wordle.
That’s the part most people miss.
They see the marble halls of the Vatican, the ceremonial robes, the silence and power. But they forget that even the Pope has a group chat. Even the Pope has inside jokes, check-ins, and little habits that make him feel close to the people he loves.
And Wordle? That’s their ritual.
A Game That Connects, Not Just Distracts
Most people think Wordle is just a brain game—five letters, six guesses, simple enough to squeeze in before coffee.
But it was born out of love.
Josh Wardle, a software engineer raised in Catholic Wales, created it as a personal gift for his partner, Palak Shah, during the pandemic. It wasn’t about monetization or metrics. It was about giving something thoughtful. A shared moment. One small joy a day. Find Wordle on Amazon
It was quiet. Ritualistic. Spiritual, in its own way.
No wonder it resonated.
Even now, Wordle’s simplicity mirrors the sacred: one word a day. No rush. No binge. Just a moment of reflection. A challenge that doesn’t overwhelm—just invites.
bAnd that’s why it makes sense that the Pope plays it. Because long before the world knew his name, he was just one of the boys. And some habits are too human, too grounding, to ever let go of.
From Chicago to the Vatican—and Still in the Group Chat
Every evening, the Pope’s two brothers—still living in the U.S.—check in with each other. Sometimes it’s just one emoji. Sometimes it’s commentary on the puzzle. But often, it’s just the silent reassurance that they’re still here, still thinking of each other, still connected.
The world sees the robe. His brothers still see their brother.
That’s the beauty of this moment. It reminds us:
- The divine doesn’t cancel out the ordinary.
- Authority doesn’t erase affection.
- Holiness doesn’t mean hiding from the things that make us feel human.
Even after long days navigating doctrine, diplomacy, and divine responsibility, Pope Leo XIV unwinds the same way millions of others do. He opens the app. He tries to guess the word. And he checks if his brothers beat him.
Legacy, Ritual, and the Sacred in the Simple
Wordle was later acquired by The New York Times, but the original heart of the game—love, connection, presence—still beats beneath the grid.
And whether or not Josh Wardle intended it, there’s something profoundly spiritual about it.
One small offering a day. Like manna in the desert. Like daily bread.
That’s what faith is. That’s what family is.
Not everything loud. But something constant.
A quiet rhythm of love.
Even—especially—inside the Vatican.
So maybe today’s Wordle isn’t just a word.
Maybe it’s a whisper from the divine.
And maybe the Pope’s daily game is a reminder that before he wore the white,
he wore love. And he still does.
