An extraordinary friendship has blossomed between Indigenous elder Theresa Ardler and Pope Leo XIV, who regularly engage in games of Wordle and casual conversations online. This unique relationship stems from Ardler’s previous bond with the late Pope Francis, who passed away in April 2023 at the age of 88.
Ardler, a devoted Catholic, reflects on her connection with Francis, stating, “I think about him every day and I pray for him every day.” Her last meeting with Francis was significant; she was the final person to hold a papal audience with him, spending two hours together immediately after US Vice President JD Vance had a brief five-minute visit. “I actually didn’t know who he was. He said, ‘hello, my name is JD Vance’. And I said, oh, ‘where are you from?’ He goes, ‘America’,” Ardler recalled.
The bond with the current Pope began unexpectedly at Francis’s funeral, where Ardler sat next to Cardinal Robert Prevost. They exchanged contact information, unaware that Prevost would soon be elevated to the papacy as Pope Leo XIV. Shortly after his election, the Pope reached out to Ardler, inviting her to the important climate conference, Laudato Si. During this event, they discussed the potential creation of a new Catholic agency focused on First Nations issues.
Ardler has also shared aspects of Australian culture with the Pope, teaching him local slang. “I said, can I give you a cuddle? And he said, what’s that? And I said, it’s a hug,” she explained.
The relationship has continued to flourish, with Ardler now having the Pope’s direct contact number. They maintain regular communication, including playing games like Words with Friends. “We play like a couple of times a week on Words with Friends. He’s so good. He’s very fast and he’s very articulate,” Ardler noted.
When asked if she ever manages to win against the Pope, Ardler laughed, saying, “Not at Wordle or Words with Friends. He is so good.” She acknowledges a different kind of closeness with Leo XIV compared to her relationship with Francis, highlighting the unique bond they share.
Ardler’s friendship with the Pope illustrates the profound connections that can be formed across cultures and generations, fostering dialogue and understanding in today’s world.
