Pope Leo XIV's brother recently confirmed that the Pontiff is an active language learner and perhaps even an avid Duolingo user, but after his first Christmas as pope, it's safe to say he's likely in the app's Diamond League.
That's because when addressing the crowd for the Urbi et Orbi blessing, Pope Leo wished everyone a Merry Christmas — in 10 languages!
"Merry Christmas! May the peace of Christ reign in your hearts and in your families," he said.
Watch the video below:
That's Italian, French, English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, and Latin.
According to Mountain Butorac, an American living in Rome who organized pilgrimages, Pope Leo had a "mischievous smile" when he kept speaking more and more languages.
While Pope Leo XIV was known to be fluent in Italian, Spanish, and English (his mother tongue), able to speak French, reportedly adept at Quechua, spoken in Peru, and was said to be learning German, many people were surprised to see him speak Chinese and Polish.
"I am very proud of him, Polish pronunciation is rather difficult," said one user on X.
"Yeah, that'd be my face if I had to speak in Chinese in front of the entire planet for the first time, too 😅 You're doing great, Holy Father," said another.
